'Structured Controversy' (SC) is a cooperative learning activity where students, working in small groups, argue one side of an issue and then another side of the same issue in two Rounds. Discussion includes: organizing the activity; evaluation; and positive results. Students reported a high degree of satisfaction with the SC activity and were…

This article describes the whole-language philosophy of teaching reading and writing and its application to teaching braille reading to blind children. It suggests activities that are effective for enhancing the development of early reading behaviors in children who use braille and that integrate the critical components of literacy learning with…

Presents simple outdoor activities to simulate the process of erosion and to show how various factors affect the amount of erosion that can occur. (PR)

The article presents technology projects that provide real-life reasons for students to learn geography. A variety of online networks take students on online field trips, linking them with scientists, zoologists, archaeologists, and explorers. Other interactive software is available to simulate trips to various locations around the world. (SM)

Contextualizes the mathematical intelligence as revealed in the human tendencies, as supported by the extended family, and facilitated by choice within a responsive environment. Reviews the function of Montessori materials, including mathematical materials, and emphasizes that the personal intelligences are integral to all activities simply…

Encourages the appreciation of music through listening, responding with body movement, and sharing with children. Points out that early childhood educators and children who are nonmusicians can make and understand music. Identifies basic problems with preschool teachers' current practices in using music with young children and provides a list of…

Presents recommendations for teachers and their instructors to help teachers master science courses. Comments for teachers include create a learning community, do not dread solving problems, think things through, and keep a positive attitude. Comments for instructors include think about who your students are, make your course learner-friendly, try…

This article provides an overview of how an emergent literacy perspective may serve as a framework for better understanding the reading and writing behaviors of young children with learning disabilities. Specific intervention techniques are given to help teachers provide rich, meaningful emergent literacy opportunities in the classroom. (Contains…

Examines how participation in learning resources activities and perceptions of the value of learning resources affects student teachers' self, task, and impact concerns. Subjects were 173 student teachers. Results revealed high self-concerns and higher impact concerns. Utilization of learning resources had a significant effect on task concerns,…

Suggests that prior to teaching reading skills all staff need to agree on a set of labels and determine how they will teach those skills in the classroom. Offers specific strategies for music and art teachers that can be used by any teacher. (NB)

Surveys of student studying an introductory science course at a distance indicated that they had very favorable attitudes to CD-ROM multimedia activities that are an integral part of the course teaching package. Research reported here focused on how students actually studied as they worked through the activities. Suggestions are made for future…

Presents activities for teaching two basic phonemic awareness tasks to young children who are learning to read. Oral blending exercises help children hear how sounds are put together to make words so they can begin sounding out words independently as they read. Oral segmentation activities help children separate words into sounds so they can build…

School-to-work initiatives have a place in elementary schools. A Rhode Island school has introduced Making Connections, a program that provides work-place-like settings for learning and applying practical skills. An "employment agency""hires" fifth- and sixth-graders in positions such as tutors, computer assistants, and ad…

In this article, Marilyn Chapman provides educators and others interested in early literacy with important information about phonemic awareness to help them make decisions about what to do in their schools. She begins with an explanation of phonemic awareness and how it relates to other aspects of literacy development such as phonological…

Many young people live in communities with historically interesting buildings, and tours of those historical sites can reveal much about life in the past. Something that students often overlook in the analysis of historic sites is the civic values held by the people who lived there. The ideas of architecture cannot be divorced from the people or…