This guide provides specific information on designing and implementing a reading program. The guide is divided into the following six parts: (1) "Planning for Instruction," including sections on setting ideal goals, establishing a "reality base," and organizing a work flow; (2) "Content Organization," including sections on the structure of…

Ways in which teachers organize classrooms when they have more students than microcomputers available to them were investigated as part of the National Survey of School Uses of Microcomputers, which collected data from 1,082 microcomputer-using schools. These schools represent 68% of a nationally representative sample of about 1,600…

A study was conducted to determine whether there is a typical instructional sequence used to teach reading in third and fourth grade classrooms, to what extent the core text-related sequence (a child-related introduction of the text, followed by reading, and then discussion and interpretation of text content) is used, and if it is not used, what…

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…

The results of an earlier experimental study of the effectiveness of a set of principles for small group instruction in first grade reading groups called for a revision of the list of principles. Revised principles were written for (1) group organization (seating, transitions, starting the lesson); (2) the introduction of lessons and activities…

Collaborative learning, in which students form small groups to analyze their own writing, can cause students who recognize good writing and know the "rules" to reexamine their own writing and writing processes and then produce an acceptable product. Given eight sample paragraphs from their own writing, 20 freshman students working in 5…

A study of four elementary schools in one large Texas school district found that cultural norms and traditions of educational administration set boundaries within which teachers chose from a limited set of "recipes" for teaching and other activities. The two-year study, using data from interviews, documents, and daily observations of…

Two public relations campaigns courses designed to provide senior students with practical public relations skills were organized in different ways. One class, employing small four- or five-member teams, implemented short-term projects that consisted of planning and implementing a campaign during the nine-week term. In the other class, students…

Following a review of research findings on the relationship between teacher behavior and student achievement, current activities in teacher effectiveness research are discussed. Two major trends emerge in recent research studies. Existing correlational findings on the topic are being integrated and applied to contexts beyond basic skills…

Discusses the role of the teacher, the nature of learning, and the relationships between students and teachers in calling for a science of English teaching. (DF)

Summarizes a study into the feasibility, problems, benefits, and implications of using mastery learning in teaching French to students in Scottish secondary schools. Examples are provided of target objectives, specimen test materials, progress cards, and class activity records, and implications on class organization are discussed. (EAO)

Observations of third- and fourth-grade classroom reading lessons revealed not only that text-related reading comprehension was seldom taught, but also that a coordinated or topically organized sequence of text reading instruction was rare. (FL)

The "class trap" is defined as the problems which can arise when all students in the class are required to progress at the same rate. To illustrate this concept, a case study is presented of arithmetic instruction in a single class, then strategies to avoid the trap are outlined. (SJL)

Defines practice of looping teachers and describes its history in American education. Details a looping project instituted in a middle school, including the initial planning, customization of instruction, and structure of classroom instruction. Evaluates the looping process by presenting advantages and disadvantages encountered, and offers…

Presents a seven-step strategy to help teachers improve feedback effectiveness and provide more individual attention in large classes. The strategy considers the learner, the skill being practiced, and environmental factors. The teacher must observe performance, analyze the action and/or outcome of the response, and communicate directly with the…