Provides on-task activities to fill in unexpected extra moments in elementary classes. The activities require little preparation and take 5-15 minutes to complete. There are activities for math, language arts, social science, science, critical thinking, and computer. An outer space board game is also included. (SM)

Ability grouping persists because few practical, financially feasible, and politically palatable alternatives have been explored. Built to accommodate a team of 6 teachers and 135 to 150 students, 1 Virginia middle school's parallel block scheduling plan exchanges tracking for a practical method of working with heterogeneous groups of students.…

Literature and nature study are brought together through poetry in a plan for a class walk in a natural area. Includes tips on organizing the walk, preparing the students, and introducing an exercise in Haiku poetry. (Author/MCO)

Describes a five-month study unit for eight to nine-year olds that integrates the Native Peoples of Manhattan, New York, into social studies, science, the arts, and literature. The unit includes the area's environment; the area's people; a harvest festival; tribal legends and traditions; literature to expand student's work; and science class…

Ninth graders explored the theme of power and ambition by reading William Shakespeare's play "Julius Caesar," studying daily life in ancient Rome, comparing the play's plot to the attempted overthrow of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, examining other power struggles, and developing scripts for modern-day "Julius Caesar"…

Examines educational film and video as an affective or cognitive learning tool. Suggestions are given on how to select a film for a particular lesson; how to prepare students for viewing; how to structure a lesson including the language arts; and how students can be led to improved visual literacy though analysis of form and structure. (Author/KRN)

Describes how Butner Elementary School at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, transformed a courtyard into a nature learning center, complete with three-tiered pond, fish, animals, and plants. The project, funded through the collection of aluminum cans, is used for science, archaeology, language arts, and social studies activities. The high level of…

Seven chapters consider what learning is and what counts as learning in the context of formal schooling. How qualitative research assists in this examination is explored. Qualitative research is an indispensable tool in the repertoire of research approaches that will illuminate learning discourse. (SLD)

Argues that typical language arts instruction for special education children is misguided because it emphasizes identifying and remediating deficiencies in individual children. Offers a model for teaching at-risk children that applies whole language principles and practices to meet the needs of special education students. (MG)

Maintains that, for each child, an initial contact with a poem through a sensitive and skillful teacher can be an individual dialogue with thought and feeling, reforming and deepening with time. Examples of poems are used to illustrate this point. (BB)

Discusses a child-centered science project in which first-grade students integrate design drawing, construction, mathematics, and language arts to solve engineering problems related to constructing robots. Describes the construction of the robots, follow-up activities, and educational research that supports this approach to teaching. (10…

Describes a community project (based on Kenneth Koch's book "I Never Told Anybody") in which students in a ninth-grade English class paired up with nursing home residents, making regular visits to encourage them to write poetry. Discusses finding a place, getting ready, working together, and what students learned about writing poetry and about…

Argues that language is the primary vehicle through which stereotyping is perpetuated. Outlines assignments that offer students an opportunity to explore gender stereotyping, to learn to recognize and combat gender bias, and to treat others equally, regardless of gender. Notes also some statewide programs that address these issues and help…

Describes a mystery unit designed for a heterogeneous grouping of eighth-grade students that involves the disciplines of science and language arts. Addresses students' interests and connects naturally with language arts and science curriculum. (DDR)

Describes a university/school partnership in which teacher-education students at the university responded via e-mail to the writing of 6th graders, resulting in advances for writers and teachers of writing. (SR)