Independent literacy work is a valuable opportunity for students to practice reading and writing skills, yet many elementary classrooms struggle with maintaining student focus and productivity during this time. This paper presents three evidence-based strategies--scaffolding supports, structured choice, and student-driven accountability--that were…

Classroom management systems (CMS) are class-wide strategies that teachers use to keep students on task, attentive, and academically engaged. This review provides teachers an overview of eight effective and socially valid CMSs that are aligned with school-wide positive behavior interventions and supports (SWPBIS). The goal is to provide teachers…

We investigated growth trajectories for classroom performance goal practices and for student behavioral engagement across grades 2 to 5 for 497 academically at-risk elementary students. This study is the first longitudinal investigation of performance goal practices in the early elementary years. On average, teacher use of performance goal…

The second edition of CHAMPS helps classroom teachers design (or fine tune) a proactive and positive classroom management plan that will overtly teach students how to behave responsibly. The new 2nd edition includes tips and resources to make this definitive guide to classroom management even more user-friendly. CHAMPS strategies are easy to…

The purpose of this action research project report was to decrease off-task behavior through a dot/point reward system and portfolio reflections. Students involved in this research were in second, fifth, and sixth grade. There were a total of 85 student participants and 35 teacher participants. The dates of this research began on September 4, 2007…

To increase students' time-on-task, the author uses organizational strategies that apply to the laboratory and to the classroom: planning, goal definition and motivation, and mechanics. (JOW)

Entertainment is a valid instructional strategy to which students respond. Both traditional and high-tech methods of task engagement can motivate students without sacrificing rigor. Interesting topics can be taught by interesting instructors in interesting ways. (SK)

The purpose of the article is to describe step by step procedures teachers can use to successfully engage their students in the development of science fair projects. The article further explains how the student should prepare their science fair project for science fair competition. It is expected that increasing student participation in science…

A study evaluated the effects of three active responding techniques (i.e., hand raising, choral responding, the response card) on students participation and on-task behavior in five preschoolers with attending problems. The response card technique was consistently more efficient for all five children across all dependent measures. (Contains…

Research finds little relationship between allocated learning time and student achievement, some relationship between engaged time and achievement, and a greater relationship between academic learning time and achievement. Effective classroom management, appropriate instruction, and student motivation are important considerations. Implications and…

Suggestions for teachers who wish to increase academic learning time for learning-disabled students include: reducing transition time; shortening recess or free time; creating more teacher-led instructional groups; teaching more and testing less; increasing teacher questioning; increasing teacher enthusiasm; improving seatwork tasks; giving…

During the spring of 2004, we conducted research exploring the emotions of struggling readers. Specifically we were interested in finding out how school contexts, curriculum, and relationships influence students' experiences of struggle. Students in this study were 14 first, second, and third graders identified for reading intervention at their…

Research on teacher effectiveness addresses questions about how teachers bring about desirable student outcomes. Until recently, most research has focused on long-term outcomes, such as achievement gains over one year. Short-term outcomes--students' immediate responses to instruction--are also important. Four categories of short-term student…

Examples are given of classroom situations which pose challenges or problems for teachers. The reasons the problems arose are discussed, and alternative suggestions are made for handling them. Discussions include classroom interactions among teachers and students in these areas: (1) using students' time efficiently; (2) classroom arrangement and…

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 reviews current research on multigrade instruction, identifies key issues…