Describes multilevel French reading course at Houston Baptist University in which class time is divided into instructor-directed time where students and instructor work together and student-directed time where students work individually or in small groups with learning modules. Students contract for grades and work at their own pace. (BK)

Offers suggestions for using children's literature in the classroom throughout the year. Includes suggestions for reading in the content areas of mathematics, art, music, and the language arts. (FL)

Offers suggestions for ways to motivate reluctant readers, assign reading autobiographies, and prepare students for the SAT. (AEA)

Suggests four steps teachers can use to ensure that content area reading instruction enhances content area learning: (1) determine learning objectives, (2) determine needed reading and study skills, (3) accurately diagnose student needs, and (4) select specific skills for teaching at any one time. (FL)

Demonstrates how social studies classroom teachers can personalize historical events by getting students to empathize with historical individuals. Describes an activity which investigates factors influencing immigrants to North America. Students are involved in acquiring data, applying data, reaching a conclusion, taking a position, and analyzing…

Good computer simulations are those which make good use of the capability of the computer and which promote student decisions based on logic, observation, and their knowledge of the real world. (MP)

An example is discussed in which a drill exercise, initially involving whole number addition, can be used to develop concepts in equations of many variables. (MP)

Describes a simulation game suitable for junior and senior high school students in history classes. The objective of the game, entitled "War or Peace," is to help students understand that similar events can be interpreted differently by different people. An exercise in writing history follows introduction of the game, explanation of rules, and…

Explains how the use of cartoons and greeting cards in the classroom can help students identify and understand stereotypes of aging and older people. The activity, which takes one class period, involves the students in analyzing, discussing, and thinking of a word or phrase which best describes stereotypes illustrated on specific greeting cards…

Discusses the importance of vocabulary acquisition in second language instruction, viewing it as central to the learning process. The interplay among words, meanings, and situations is considered, and various types of exercises are examined to determine when and how vocabulary can best be brought into focus. (MES)

Advocates use of students' interests to develop "learning starters" (anything from the students' world with which they can become involved) as a motivational strategy in open classrooms. Identifies and discusses three major categories of learning starters: large group presentations, small group interactions, and independent study. (JD)

Maintains that learning will be facilitated through appealing displays that permit active participation of children. (DB)

The article presents two teaching strategies for use with elementary age educable mentally retarded students. The first introduces the concept of the equivalence of a nickel and five pennies in terms of buying power. The second strategy involves teaching students the skill of adding various combinations of nickels and pennies. (PHR)

Presented are 38 spelling activities which can be prepared for independent study. For those activities involving specific classroom tools and materials, these materials may be placed in a shoe box with directions for the activity stapled to the top of the box. (KC)

Describes a simulation based on strategic arms limitation talks. The simulation was successfully used in a freshman-level introductory political science course to help students understand the importance of negotiating and understanding other points of view in international relations. (DB)