John R. Savery is Professor of Education and Director of Instructional Services at the University of Akron. His research and teaching interests focus on problem-based learning and technology-rich learning environments. As Director he supports faculty integration of instructional technology across the spectrum, from traditional classrooms to…

The place of kindergarteners in academia has grown more important in recent years. Increased emphasis on learning at the kindergarten level, however, should not blind educators to the developmental levels of four- and five-year-olds, who may learn most effectively by playing creatively and exploring new language skills. (PGD)

This book explores the educational mission of teachers. Based mainly on opinion and anecdotal evidence--yet supported by some research--this book calls on teachers and parents to look beyond the old myths about what a good school is and instead focus on facilitating intellectual, ethical, and aesthetic growth in students and in themselves. The…

One of the recent trends in language learning is training the learner to learn, so that he or she becomes "autonomous," that is, able to carry out alone the various steps in the learning process. This article concentrates on one of the most important of those steps, the analysis and fulfillment of the learner's needs, and it shows that this is…

Contends that developing an interest in a particular topic is the first step in getting students ready to read in the social studies. Maintains the teacher must find ways of using what children already know and couple this with their experiential background to fulfill the need for establishing familiarity before reading. (TRS)

Presents a rationale for teaching parenting to children, and through an analysis of Piaget's developmental stages, suggests that such instruction might appropriately begin at age seven when the child enters the concrete operations stage. Outlines implementation strategies, learning objectives, and sample instructional activities for a six-week…

Contends that resistance is not adequately problematized in the critical pedagogy literature. Asserts that clarification is necessary to point out the multiple resistances in classrooms and their implications rather than situating resistance only with students and only in relation to social inequality or critical pedagogy. (16 citations) (VWC)

Four elements are essential for efficient, effective, and rewarding teaching of beginning reading. The first is the use of children's key vocabulary. Children are asked, in a prescribed fashion, what their very best word is of the moment. The teacher prints it in a prescribed fashion and uses it to help children acquire one-to-one correspondence…

To create the conditions necessary for students to learn basic skills, teachers should facilitate interpersonal situations that will encourage learning. Teachers should operate less on a defensive basis and allow more student-teacher involvement, careful thinking, and demonstrated relevance of knowledge to create a dynamic learning environment.…

Provides rationale for using trade books rather than textbooks for instruction in content areas. Describes a specific teaching strategy, which includes readiness, reading, and responses for encouraging the development of thinking skills and independent learning. (DST)