Students must be informed about what is going on in the United States and the world. They must be able to understand, analyze, and evaluate what they hear and read. Newspaper and magazine editorials are excellent sources of argument and information for class study. Genuine understanding of written material requires thinking during reading.…

The music skill capabilities and deficiencies of students with mild mental disabilities, and general accommodations necessary for successful participation are discussed. Potential growth in music education is sometimes hampered by educators who underestimate the academic skills required within the typical music class and educators who…

The formal development of critical thinking is discussed, and guidance is provided to help faculty insure that critical thinking becomes an integral part of learning. Theory, research, teaching practice, and college programs pertinent to the development and role of critical thinking are presented in order to show how educators have shaped…

This pamphlet discusses student learning styles and teachers' adaptability to those styles. Section 1 discusses "What Are Learning Styles" by talking generally about cognitive, affective, and physiological aspects of those styles. Section 2's topic is "What Determines Learning Style?". "The Relationship Between Learning Styles and Teaching Styles"…

This booklet is one of a series of teacher-written curriculum publications launched by the Bay Area Writing Project, each focusing on a different aspect of the teaching of composition. After a brief introduction in which the writing concepts of fluency, shape, and correctness are defined, the rest of the booklet presents the work of three…

Three curriculum materials which draw upon the social disciplines are examined to understand the manner in which individual responsibility and authority are defined. The three include American Political Behavior, Holt Secondary Social Studies Curriculum, and Investigating Man's World. Curriculum content in each is found to contain dispositions…

An investigation into uses of evaluative feedback in a graduate-level external-studies course in supervision is reported. Methods of presenting feedback are described, utility and clarity of feedback discussed, and the role of feedback in external and traditional instruction compared. Student assessment of the methods utility and the accuracy of…

This study examined the impact of diversity on students' self-perceived improvement in the abilities necessary to contribute positively to a pluralistic democracy. It noted how such diversity-related campus activities as exposure to multicultural curricula and opportunities to study and interact with diverse peers affected student development. The…

Observed English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) writing classes in Canada in order to document what the ESL instructors do when they teach. Findings reveal that the instructors gave more attention to collectively constructing language paradigms and to guiding individual development than other routines, and attracted student's attention in one way or…

Provides six themes identified by historians and master teachers that should be the goal of any history study. Suggests ways to develop each theme and offers helpful appropriate resource materials. Stresses building historical understanding and empathy for past times and peoples in young learners. (CH)

Techniques for managing college classroom discussions about cultural diversity and oppression are offered, using a model of social identity development that helps to understand student responses and classroom dynamics. The model posits five stages of social identity development experienced by individuals in both disadvantaged and advantaged…

A nonwriting third grade student's encounter with writing is described. The approach used with the child's class involved choosing their own topic, writing at an individual pace, working with peers, using illustrations, and participating in conferences with the teacher. Through this approach, the bilingual student realized he could be literate and…

Provides four sample activities and illustrations to develop students' perceptual skills. Seeks to help teach students that (1) understanding art takes time and effort; (2) personal reactions are important; (3) understanding the culture in which artworks are created is useful; and (4) many different approaches are available for understanding art.…

Suggests ways for teachers to help elementary school children connect with history by enhancing their natural interest in stories. The approaches, adaptable to any age and topic, include using children's literature, acting, and storytelling. Stories of the past provide a base upon which children build larger ideas about history. (SM)

Describes the atmosphere and activities in a primary classroom in New Zealand that affect the literacy development of limited English-proficient children. Key factors are identified, including teacher expectations of success, whole language environment, and nurturing classroom climate. (two references) (Author/LB)