Procrastination is one of the issues affecting more than half of the student population and is known to impact them negatively. It is also one of the major reasons for failure and dropout. Therefore, several studies have been conducted in this domain to understand when and why students procrastinate. The existing studies use self-reported…

Observations of student behavior in the elementary and secondary classrooms of Ohio's Otsego Local School District revealed significant differences in the kinds and quantities of off-task behaviors among students at different grade levels, and may help educators develop methods for increasing learning time. The observation instrument is included.…

In multigrade instruction, children of at least a 2-year grade span and diverse ability levels are grouped in a single classroom and share experiences involving intellectual, academic, and social skills. "The Multigrade Classroom" is a seven-book series that provides an overview of current research on multigrade instruction, identifies…

Skillful, scientific observation of even one student having difficulty can give teachers ideas for helping all of their students. Discusses planning observation time, tools for observation, and how to observe students and interpret observations. Provides specific suggestions for five observed behaviors and sources of more information (two…

This document offers perspectives on the concepts of environment and order related to the classroom setting. Environment is explained as the physical milieu, action structure, and the fit between these phenomena. Order can refer to the system being "in order" or to the participants being on task. Examples are presented of relationships…

This book offers suggestions and ideas in definite and practical terms for teaching, evaluating teaching, and improving the school. Problems and possible solutions are discussed in the areas of: (1) classroom order and discipline; (2) teaching the basics; (3) dealing with written work; (4) planning for the class, the unit, and the year; (5) study…

This packet provides the concerned teacher and supervisor with materials for learning how to determine the percentage of time their students are actively engaged on task. The materials include definitions of key terms, a list of situations during which students must be considered unengaged, sample forms to be used in classroom observations of…

Accessible, practical, and empowering, this book gives school professionals the tools to put students in charge of their own learning. Going beyond traditional "study skills" guides that focus on the mechanics of homework completion and test taking, the authors address the underlying psychological factors that influence academic success and…

To explore the structure of academic work in classrooms, a case analysis was conducted of the academic tasks accomplished in three English classes taught by the same teacher. The authors conclude that the study contributes to the development of a language with which to describe curriculum dimensions of the teaching process. (MJL)

Presents findings of an analysis of job stress among secondary school teachers in Malta. Reports that one-third of 545 respondents rated teaching as stressful or very stressful. Identifies pupil misbehavior, poor working conditions, poor staff relations, and time pressures as leading contributors to stress. Examines the influence of demographic…

Presents timesaving tips to help elementary teachers make the most of every minute in the classroom. The article includes suggestions for using bulletin board space, creating student jobs, keeping track of items and assignments, recording grades, preparing makeup work, switching subjects, and timing student tasks. (SM)

After reviewing effective teaching research during the past 20 years, one basic question arises: do teachers make any difference? Specifically, do teachers' classroom practices have any effect on student outcomes beyond the effects of ability and home background? What knowledge of minimal teaching competencies has been gained, and how firm is the…

Guidelines for assessing the classroom environment for optimal student performance cover physical environment, time/instructional management, behavior management, and teacher effectiveness. Vignettes illustrate classroom problems and suggest management solutions. A checklist identifies instructional methods and conditions that positively affect…

Physical education teachers who can efficiently manage time and student behavior have increased academic learning time. Components of an active elementary physical education discipline plan include establishing rules, creating a record-keeping system, determining the procedure for individual and group positive feedback, and determining…

Proper transitions between instructional units are necessary to run physical education classes effectively and minimize student behavior problems. This paper describes the design of a middle school time management plan that included positive reinforcement (public posting and physical activity reinforcement). (SM)