Recent years have witnessed the spread of purpose-built active learning classrooms throughout the higher education sector. While these innovative learning spaces are well-suited for a variety of active learning strategies, their lack of a single focal point means they are inconvenient spaces for lecturing. While educational developers often…

In her previous books, "Literacy Work Stations and Practice with Purpose," Debbie Diller showed teachers how to productively occupy the "rest of the class" while meeting with small groups. Now Debbie turns her attention to the groups themselves and the teacher's role in small-group instruction. "Making the Most of Small Groups" grapples with…

The purpose of the study reported was to determine the best ways to manage interest centers in the elementary classroom. The study considered six techniques of assigning students to interest centers--teacher assignment, in which children were asked by their teacher to work at the center on a certain day; daily sign-up, in which children were…

This teacher's guide from the New York City public schools is designed to help teachers implement an all-day kindergarten program. Planning for the all-day kindergarten is developed and demonstrated through a thematic approach which integrates all curriculum areas. Six themes are presented, each of which includes both direct instruction activities…

This paper provides an orientation to learning centers for middle school teachers. A description is given of the characteristics of a learning center and the kinds of student activities that can best be conducted in an area set apart for individual or small group projects. Benefits from using learning centers, are cited, such as added variety to…

Designed for elementary school teachers, the document presents a compilation of sample dittos, models, checklists, and creative ideas for implementing learning centers in the elementary school classroom. Separate sections provide the following: (1) a description of the purpose and types of learning centers, (2) a beginning classroom management…

This teaching guide provides teachers of young children with a philosophy and guidelines for teaching that address children's social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. The guide describes a curriculum that offers teachers guidance, support, and freedom to be creative and responsive with children, and provides children, including…