In this article, the author offers suggestions on what teachers can do to build and protect their students' confidence in their reading abilities. These suggestions include: (1) Create accepting classroom environments; (2) Use authentic assessments; (3) Choose interesting, appropriate texts; and (4) Use supportive reading strategies.

No classroom teacher needs convincing of the benefits of using children's picture books in his or her math program. As Marilyn Burns, the creator and founder of Math Solutions Professional Development, and the author of "The Greedy Triangle" (Scholastic, 1996), says, "Evidence shows that teaching math through children's books motivates children to…

The purpose of writing is to communicate with an audience. Teachers need to move heaven and earth to be sure that every child knows what it is to become a published author. Criteria for selecting a piece is important. In this article, the author explores why the criteria that children use for selecting poetry to share with an audience differ from…

Examining ourselves, why we do what we do, is the essence of human psychology and of ethics. The purpose of this book is to show how educators might choose among ethical approaches to decision-making as they face the choices they make each day. Features include the theory-based ethics and case studies of real and significant issues that teachers…

A study assessed the status of the undergraduate general communication theory course at small and large colleges. Questionnaires were mailed to 261 programs in the United States listing a communication theory course in their catalogues. A total of 62 questionnaires were returned, for a response rate of 24%. Results indicated: (1) a clear…

This paper offers a rationale for offering sexuality education for youth with mental handicaps, and outlines several myths about human sexuality and the mentally handicapped. Sexual rights of the mentally handicapped are listed. Items that should be included in sexual counseling are noted. The paper also discusses critical content areas in…

This book provides an overview of the potential of multimedia budget proposals. The text reviews the fundamentals of multimedia, emphasizing how it improves communication by using multiple levels of input. A process for analyzing many of the budget decisions that must be made, as adapted from Robert Finney's five-step process of "Gap…

In the fall of 1984, the Education Commission of the States (ECS) was awarded a grant from the U.S. Secretary of Education's Discretionary Fund to identify alternative state roles for improving instructional materials in mathematics. To help state leaders define an appropriate and effective role in upgrading these materials, ECS proposed first to…

Noting National Assessment of Educational Progress findings that indicate students have difficulty analyzing literature, this paper presents a model for teaching students the process of reading and responding to literature in an orderly manner. Following an introduction to the problem of literature analysis in the schools, the model is discussed…

Noting that for some time, the theory of literature has been supplanted by other disciplines as the major influences on the teaching of English in the secondary schools, this paper challenges the assumptions underlying two major principles for selecting and teaching literature: the social relevance of its subject matter and its immediate impact on…

This publication examines reading instruction techniques that can be used by teachers to diagnose and remedy students' weaknesses in reading social studies materials. There are four chapters. Chapter one discusses issues, including trends related to reading in the social studies and problems presented by social studies textbooks. Chapters two and…

This guide for coaches working in wrestling is intended to provide coaches with an interpretation of the findings of research, to indicate what additional research is needed, and to provide a source of research references. The guide is divided into the following sections: (a) physical characteristics of the amateur wrestler, (b) physiological…

This paper presents guidelines for valid and effective test preparation and presentation. Working on the assumption that teacher secrecy about tests and the subsequent student test-fear are pointless and harmful, this paper outlines some tools for test preparation, such as pretests, teacher file cards as to items covered in class and clearly…

If public education is going to attempt to meet children's needs in our present and future ever-changing society, teachers must continually review the material they use in their classrooms. Considers this factor in teaching the concept of family in a social studies lesson. (Author/RK)