The teacher needs to be well versed in the teaching of reading. There is content to read in each curriculum area regardless of the grade level taught. There also are clearly differentiated programs of instruction. Each is based on a selected psychological school of thought. Educators need to study and analyze each school of thought to see where it…

Noting that it is vital to pay careful attention to designing the reading curriculum, this document outlines the following issues: objectives in reading curriculum; learning activities; methods of teaching; assessment of student achievement; supervision in the reading curriculum; and philosophy of evaluation. Questions which arise pertaining to…

Multi-media instruction needs to be adapted to assist students in achieving objectives of instruction. Multi-media approaches need to stress quality sequence, and also need to provide a meaningful context for student learning. The developers of multi-media class resources should provide for diverse styles of learning and need to develop materials…

Careful planning of lesson plans and units of study is important. Good planning does not mean success in teaching, but it certainly is salient to be well prepared each day for teaching pupils. It is unfortunate if teachers enter classrooms with little to show in the way of being prepared for teaching. Pupils do notice if a teacher is ill prepared…

Pointing out that teachers and supervisors need to study, analyze, and synthesize diverse issues in the teaching of handwriting, this paper explores several relevant issues. The following issues are discussed: (1) whether handwriting ought to be taught as a separate subject; (2) the conflict between the behaviorism approach--which utilizes precise…

This paper discusses the types of readiness that are necessary for learning in science and how to assess them. Subject matter readiness refers to what students bring in terms of facts, concepts, generalizations, and principles to the new science lesson. Evaluating many aspects of student background, such as prior instruction, helps in the…

One constructivist approach to assessing student learning is the use of portfolios. The contents of a portfolio demonstrate what a student knows and can do. The portfolio indicates actual products and processes a student has developed, as exemplified in the description of the contents of a student portfolio in a teaching methods course. Portfolios…

Although it is a skill that is often ignored, handwriting is an important aspect of education, especially at the elementary school level. Word processors are not always available, and there is frequently a need to write something that others must read. Students should receive instruction in specific handwriting problems, and it is best if learners…

This paper suggests that although good attitudes towards science on the part of teachers are very important in teaching, attitudes are difficult to measure. Prospective candidates for teaching should be chosen because they have good attitudes toward science coupled with an adequate self-concept. Prospective science teachers need adequate…

To evaluate pupil achievement in the area of elementary school social studies, selected evaluation techniques are discussed and practical suggestions for implementation are offered. The discussed techniques include: (1) work samples, (2) rating scales, (3) checklists, (4) teacher observation, (5) sociometric devices, (6) anecdotal records, (7)…

Teachers and supervisors need to provide quality experiences in reading for each learner. School systems can appraise the effectiveness of their present reading curricula in a variety of ways. The following issues are involved in evaluating the reading curriculum: (1) objective selection; (2) objective sequencing; and (3) appraisal procedures to…

Assessment procedures for school principals need to be valid, reliable, and utilitarian. They should emphasize the humane elements of the school setting, and they should reflect a concern for a safe school environment. Breaking these requirements into component parts allows the development of five-point Likert scales teachers may use to assess…

Principals are increasingly being held accountable for student achievement in the public schools, but there are many questions about how to assess principals' achievement. There are many problems with using the results of standardized testing to assess the achievement of principals. Feedback from teachers appears to be a good way to assess the…

Students individually or in committees with teacher guidance need to develop a portfolio to indicate the quality of school work that has been accomplished. Student portfolios are a purposeful collection of work that illustrates the students' efforts, progress, and achievement in given areas. Portfolios provide ongoing and authentic records of…

Teachers need to align learning opportunities with state-mandated objectives. This process should begin with assessing the curriculum, possibly through the use of a 10-point scale by teachers, administrators, support personnel, and parents. To implement the needed learning opportunities, tenets from educational psychology should be used in…