Discusses the use of tabloid newspapers in the teaching of human sexuality. Suggests that many people obtain sex information from such publications. Explains how research projects using the papers were organized. Describes advantages and disadvantages and student reactions to the assignment. Includes an appendix containing example bibliographies.…

Some gifted children react disproportionately to criticism even when it is presented in a constructive and caring manner. This intense negative reaction may rest on unrealistic views of what it means to be gifted, sensitivity, high expectations of self and others, and self-criticism. (JDD)

This study of the automatic word and sign recognition of 66 hearing and deaf adults found that responding in sign took longer and created more Stroop interference than responding orally, independent of hearing status. Deaf subjects showed greater automaticity in recognizing signs than words, whereas hearing subjects showed greater automaticity in…

Twenty fourth grade students wrote brief answers to teacher questions on laminated response cards. Compared to hand raising, 6 target students exhibited more active student response during instruction, most of the 20 students scored higher on daily quizzes, and most preferred response cards over hand raising. (JDD)

Discusses reader-response theory and forces that mitigate against a reading-centered classroom. Asserts that the issues of authority and freedom are crucial but advises against demanding too much at this stage. Focuses on current practice, and suggests beginning with the routines, the "business as usual," of the literature classroom.…

Defines four kinds of poetry readers: paraphrasers, thematizers, allegorizers, and problem solvers. Recommends an approach to reading a poem that treats the poem as an expansive space in which to romp and play, to explore and travel. Illustrates problem making and lists questions for students. Discusses how to respond by questioning. (PRA)

Examines whether computer-literate college students can be induced to use social rules distinguishing "self" and "other" to respond to the behaviors of technologies. Finds that respondents used voices but not boxes (computers) to distinguish self from other behavior in applying the social rules on performance evaluation, praise, and criticism. (RS)

Investigates classroom environments and sense making within classrooms, using causal mapping techniques. Develops concept structures for classrooms, based on unbiased interviews. A homogeneous conception of classrooms is flawed, because participating fifth graders used highly individualistic concepts or labels to describe classroom environments.…

Discusses the connections between cultural literacy and schema based on Hirsch's book, "Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know." Investigates the idea that schemata for cultural literacy can be taught. Asserts that teachers must assess and enlarge vocabulary and determine whether pupils' background knowledge is adequate for…

Compares reactions of 152 male and 152 female heterosexual college students to the same imagined coercive sexual act initiated by a male or female acquaintance. Reactions of both sexes are discussed, and implications for the study of coercive relationships are considered. (SLD)

Gives a detailed syllabus for a course dealing with "unteaching" racism at University of Michigan. Discusses design, philosophy, and development of the course. Discusses experiences with the students' reactions to the course. (SC)

Describes a theater for children and youth on the island of Aruba and the celebration of the project in a youth theater festival. Outlines the goals of the theater project. Discusses the development of the festival plays, the themes expressed in terms of metaphor, and the communication through objects used in the plays. (CR)

Defines a stage director's rehearsal note as a written reminder to tell an actor (or technical person) something seen during a rehearsal when there was no time to stop the action. Finds a note can contain a suggestion, a correction, or a compliment. Presents examples from play rehearsals of when a note was needed. (PA)

Describes a classroom demonstration called the Gambler's Fallacy where students in an introductory psychology statistics class participate in simulated gambling using weekly results from professional football game outcomes over a 10 week period. Explains that the demonstration illustrates that random processes do not self-correct and statistical…

Reviews approaches to children's reactions to the unfamiliar, emphasizing how they differ in terms of measurement and interpretation of individual differences. Suggestions are made for school psychologists and educators regarding assessment and modifications of classroom environments to meet the needs of temperamentally diverse students.…