A study of 34 third grade working class children of various ethnic backgrounds attempted to discover children's conceptions of ghosts. Children were exposed to information about ghosts and asked many "simple" and "wild" questions to elicit their conceptions. (MS)

In this inquiry study, teachers will learn about or refine their understanding of the components of Reading and Writing Workshop. They will begin by living as writers themselves and then explore how to create supportive contexts for the learners in their classrooms. Video footage from a number of classrooms will serve as a series of possibilities…

Societal acceptance of polarized discourse poses challenges for communication professors engaged in teaching ethical public speaking processes to undergraduates. This study explores how creating caring and safe environments for the discussion of difficult dialogues is paramount to creating civil and reasoned discourse that can address issues of…

Teacher's function as a researcher has been the subject of heated debates during the last two decades.The advocates argue that education can not be conceived as a scientific domain within the positivistic paradigm. They put emphasis on the intricacies and uncertainties associated with teaching circumstances and invite teachers to participate in…

This paper summarizes a study of how students take part in the music classroom. The study consisted of: (1) a questionnaire, completed by students and teachers, that asked how students influence decisions in the music classroom; and (2) two case studies, one of a private primary school, the other of a public high school, that monitored student…

Research on service learning spanning the last three decades has revealed that service learning facilitates the development of leadership skills, self esteem, teamwork, communication skills, and acceptance of cultural diversity. Perhaps the most difficult arena has been the area of intellectual, cognitive, and academic efforts. A study…

A qualitative study was conducted in the winter of 2000 with children enrolled in a Clef Club, the fourth level of an early childhood music program sponsored by the Eastman School's Community Education Division (Rochester, NY). Eleven participants, ages 4.7 to 6.6, enrolled in 3 sections of the 10-week program taught by the researcher. Classroom…

The level of carbon dioxide in a classroom can have a significant negative effect on teaching and learning. Carbon dioxide (CO2) level is affected by class size and time of day. Six urban schools were studied to characterize the effects of these three factors on different class sizes. Carbon monoxide, CO2, temperature, and relative humidity…

Describes a method with data analyzed from two lessons on the quantitative assessment of content structure in classroom dialogue. Kinetic structure analysis was used and the fundamental coefficient of structure was calculated for each lesson. The method should provide new directions for looking at verbal interaction in classrooms. (PS)

How teachers can assume an essential part in political socialization research. (Editor)

Results of a study using mastery learning'', which tested not only the efficacy of the technique but also student attitudes toward the material after attaining mastery''. (SP)

Teachers training for elementary school teaching made significant gains on a test measuring their understanding of the nature of scientific hypothesis construction, testing, and use after completing a free-response linear program. (AL)

Advises classroom teachers about research procedures for making critical observations about their students and for conducting useful classroom research. (RL)

A review of research on English teaching conducted by Australian teachers reveals the need for more action research on the teaching of Australian literature. (RL)