Through observation of teacher language responses, this study examined interaction practices that inhibited, ended, or sustained children's classroom participation. Thirty early childhood educators were observed during 105 30-minute language art classes; 998 female and 1,188 male K-4th grade students were observed. Interactions were coded into one…

To be a competent teacher, the school environment must be organized to preserve a system of student behavior and group functioning which allows the teacher to select the activities in which the group will engage. This is often called "maintaining control" by teachers. Means of organizing the school context to affect student behavior are…

How teachers' incentives affect the way they go about their work is the subject of this report. Data (originally collected for another related study by the author) were obtained through classroom and nonclassroom observations and teacher interviews. The report consists primarily of a comparison of the teaching of two teachers. Material from lesson…

Investigated classroom management practices in 26 classes taught by 13 junior high and middle/junior high school teachers using student-on-task, off-task, and disruptive student behaviors as primary criteria of management effectiveness. Effective management practices for general classroom procedures, laboratory procedures, managing student…

APPLE is a naturalistic observation system that can describe pupil and teacher behaviors and identify those behaviors that are significantly related to learning for a particular grade or instructional area. (MM)

Because the first days of school are considered crucial to the establishment of a well-run classroom, this study observed 28 third-grade classes during the beginning of a term, identifying successful teacher behaviors in making introductions, presenting rules and procedures, monitoring the classroom, and analyzing and regulating student behavior.…

Cooperative learning aims to enhance students' on-task interactive behaviors in the classroom. Observation in Israeli elementary schools has indicated that interactive behavior of students in their learning sequence holds potential for quality cooperation and help among children, but that teachers lack the skills to structure learning tasks that…

Data from 12 2-hour observations of 41 elementary school classroom teachers were used to investigate classroom management problems associated with the use of small group instruction. Student engagement during small group instruction was compared with that in whole class instruction, seatwork, and transitions. Classroom narratives of subsamples of…

This study focused on social and cooperative behavior in traditional science classrooms. Students in 30 junior and senior high school science classes were observed in terms of the amount of time spent on task, or time spent concentrating on the lesson. The physical organization of the classroom, the instructional style of the teacher, and the…

The effects of multi-age grouping on achievement and self-concept were studied. The achievement variables examined were reading and mathematics achievement as measured by the Stanford Achievement Tests. The Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale was used to measure self-concept. The groups studied consisted of single-age and multi-age…

Offers 12 steps for increasing students' self-directedness and "time on task" in the classroom and displays the positive results of a recent study in an unspecified California high school that examined the effects of individualized inclass "calendars" designed to meet the needs of various types of students. (JBM)

The goal of school staff members is to support the teaching and learning missions of students by establishing an environment that promotes these missions. Adults and authority figures can help stabilize the environment by providing sufficient structure to guide the exercise of student freedom. Because of varied definitions and personal…

In this collection of annotated references on the subject of classroom management, preference was given to primary research studies or articles about such research, and, with the exception of a few fundamental articles, is limited to studies published in the last decade. Classroom management is defined as the maintenance of on-task behavior or the…

A positive, preventive approach to discipline in the classroom is emphasized in this handbook of practical ideas for class management. Suggestions are made on the following topics: (1) handling the first day of school; (2) the physical environment of the classroom; (3) management routines; (4) teaching techniques; (5) motivating students; (6)…

The instructional organization patterns used by experienced teachers in coping with classroom environmental demands is described. Observations of teachers in natural settings were conducted using both a self-designed observation schedule and brief narratives to capture the nature of the classroom climate. Results suggest that teachers use…