Describes a study of economically disadvantaged first and second graders in Chile that evaluated the effects of the introduction of educational videogames into the classroom on mathematics and reading comprehension. Investigated effects on learning, motivation, and classroom dynamics; teachers' expectations of change; and technological transfer.…

Provides four fully developed library media activities that are designed for use with specific curriculum units in art, social studies, reading, and language arts. Library media skills, curriculum objectives, grade levels, resources, instructional roles, procedures, evaluation, and follow-up are described for each activity. (LRW)

Identifies 10 principles that English-as-a-Second-or-Other-Language teachers need to address in collaboration with content area teachers. For each principle, a concern is described, a response is outlined, and a relevant example is provided. (14 references) (Author/CK)

Reflects on the experiences of an American teacher of a Japanese university education course that focused on reading selected works by Western educators and on alternative models of education. Includes student responses to class readings, nontraditional education, educational philosophy, and the value of academic freedom. (LP)

Provides an annotated bibliography of books for grades K and up which explores the folklore, poetry, fiction, and art of Mexico, and focuses on the Mayans and Aztecs and Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. Also suggests various research, reading, drama, music, social studies, physical education, and art activities and lists related videos and Internet…

Provides seven fully developed library media activities that are designed for use with specific curriculum units in mathematics, reading and language arts, science, and social studies for elementary and secondary education. Library media skills, objectives, grade levels, resources, instructional roles, evaluation, and follow-up are described for…

Suggests that an interactive student journal (maintained through e-mail with only the teacher and student having access) creates a space allowing for closer and more productive communication between the two. Describes an Introduction to Political Theory course that used this approach, and the resulting benefits. (MJP)

Argues the usefulness of timelines for fourth, fifth, and sixth grade history instruction, contending that timelines reveal history's unfolding better than fact-recall techniques. Presents ways to use timelines, including autobiographical, large display, and manipulative timelines, and combining timelines with biographies. Suggests timelines help…

The relationship between school-level minimum competency testing (MCT) programs and student reading proficiency measured by the 1983-84 National Assessment of Educational Progress was studied in subsamples of 10,367 fourth graders, 10,829 eighth graders, and 13,513 eleventh graders. No advantages of MCT programs were seen in grade 4. (SLD)

Compares the impact of two types of early field experiences on prospective teachers' attitudes, beliefs, and dialect-speaking elementary school children. Assesses student teachers' perceived helpfulness of field-based experiences, theoretical orientation for reading instruction, and attitudes toward dialect speakers. Advocates an immersion-type…

Describes a program initiated in a Baltimore (Maryland) elementary school intended to test the limits of the principle that all children can learn. Presents results indicating that the program had positive effects on the language skills of preschoolers and kindergartners and on the reading skills of students in grades one through three. (MW)

Describes the Computer Pals across the World Project, which provides an opportunity for students to write letters, poetry, reports, and newspaper articles for fellow students around the globe. Argues that it provides a real context for developing reading and writing abilities, cultural awareness, motivation, and keyboarding skills. (RS)

Aided by a small state grant, a Los Angeles County elementary school serving limited-English-speaking students tackled its underachievement problem by involving teachers in setting higher academic standards and expectations. The goal-driven project has provided focus and coherence to classroom instruction and improved fifth-grade reading and…

Preschoolers, first, and second graders in multiage groups learned about space along with learning about language and report writing in a semester-long unit. Participation in project decision making resulted in a high degree of ownership by students. (ET)

Describes the use of electronic portfolios in one Hawaiian secondary literature class. Students went through their journals, picked two entries that best represented their growth in reading during the course, and explained why. Next they created a presentation about their growth and enjoyment of literature using multimedia technology. (SM)