Two studies investigated the effects of group socialization procedures (teachers discussed friendship and praised child-child social responding) on the social behavior of preschool children. Results indicated that the procedures were a practical and effective method for improving young children's social interaction during both structured games and…

Three class activities for French second language instruction are described (interpretation of a literary text with reinterpretation by a less experienced group; an exercise in political expressions; and a wheel-of-history game), and a sequel in a series of articles on the vocabulary of language teaching is presented. (MSE)

A guide to student fund-raising activities offers 10 rules for successful fund-raising, guidelines for selecting the appropriate kind of event or campaign, and 9 possibilities: selling a popular item; food functions; gaming/gambling events; sporting events; social events; social selling events; talent shows; services; and solicitation. (MSE)

Describes a simulation game requiring students to role play and complete extensive writing exercises to help them become interested in Willa Cather's "My Antonia" and the pioneer experience of relocation and resettlement. Contains an extensive description of the simulation rules and procedures. (TB)

Aggressive and cooperative behaviors of 70 preschool children were measured during game conditions and subsequent free-play periods. Cooperative behavior increased and aggression decreased during cooperative games and free play; conversely, competitive games were followed by increases in aggressive behavior and decreases in cooperative behavior.…

Discusses student difficulties with probability concepts and argues that a key difficulty is the lack of transferability of pupils' curriculum-based knowledge. Presents several probability game activities to help students with these difficulties. (MKR)

Practical strategies for eliciting vocabulary without translation in a Spanish class are discussed, and examples are given of a cross-skills approach that requires students to use different linguistic abilities to generate appropriate lexical responses. Figures showing how to construct these exercises are included. (Contains 14 references.)…

Describes several exercises in an elementary classroom led by Koester--a game in which differences are special, and one that simulates community living. Notes that Koester's class is diversified racially, and the exercises in her class are seen by each student as a shared lesson. Concludes with a call for meaningful interactions with and among…

Examines the types of games played in the classroom and their competitive nature, discussing the effect of such games on children. Emphasizes the need to choose or develop games that discourage competition, encourage cooperation, and build self-esteem in children. Suggests ideas for innovative activities. (BAC)

Presents three games using calculators, specifically Texas Instruments' Math Explorer, as an aid to teaching fractions and decimals. Briefly discusses the development by the Texas Education Agency of staff development modules for teachers to learn about calculators, mathematics, and the incorporation of calculators into the teaching of…

Discusses the meaning of scoring in children's games. Fourth graders suggest that feeling good in the gym results from scoring or helping to win, even when nobody keeps score. The article explores the meaning of scoring using the text, "Meaning in Movement, Sport and Physical Education," noting implications for teachers. (SM)

Describes a word game developed by a sixth-grade teacher that has groups of students "bid on" and "buy" words, with the object of forming as many grammatically correct sentences as possible. Points are awarded based on sentence length, correct punctuation, and sentence type (simple, complex, or compound). (MDM)

Discusses the evolution of constructivist learning environments and examines the collaboration of simulated software models, virtual environments, and evolving mental models via immersion in artificial realities. A sidebar gives a realistic example of a student navigating through cyberspace. (JMV)

Generalization probes conducted preceding and following social skills training (using a game format) of high school students with mild mental retardation found acquisition of social skills across game conditions. Although immediate generalization to nontraining environments did not occur, a possible "deferred generalization" effect was found at…

Six group games were introduced into a second-grade bilingual classroom. Children's talk during each game was classified using a modification of Dyson's five language functions (representational, directive, heuristic, personal, and interactional). Group games provided many communication opportunities. Some children tried new communication styles.…