Describes a literature discussion group consisting of eleven social studies representatives involved in a discussion of children's multicultural literature and articles. Focuses on story as a resource for exploring diversity and for sharing personal experiences and responses with others. Includes the discussion group's schedule and a list of…

Describes the oral, written, and visual arts responses of a group of Grade 1 children. Discusses first grade children's understandings of and responses to several Radical Change characteristics and metafictive techniques found in David Wiesner's "The Three Pigs" (2001), the 2002 Randolph Caldecott Medal winner. Explores the nature of the…

This article examines research that indicates the ways in which victims express their emotions during a bullying episode can play a crucial role in the responses of peers. It concludes that victims of bullying typically demonstrate deficits in their display and regulation of emotion and fail to produce pre-emptive responses. (Contains references.)…

Examines the effects of increasing adolescents' awareness of their own response strategies to reading. Illustrates the importance of ensuring that all students discover for themselves not only what they have learned, but how they have learned it. (SR)

Discusses the comments of 30 in-service English-as-a-Second-Language teachers who participated in introductory lessons in an unknown language (Russian). Comments revealed a high level of anxiety, the need for security before and during instruction, and observations concerning implementation of various cognitive techniques to quickly master the…

Provides comments from five teachers in response to an article in the same issue of "English Journal" concerning a teacher's handling of a rebellious high school student. (MG)

Investigates children's dramatic literacy and explores new testing methods. Supports the critical importance of dramatic actions for young audience's comprehension. Finds that over half the subjects recalled the linear, cause-and-effect, central actions in this "absurdist" plot, particularly when playing with analogous props. (SR)

A design for test equating based on Item Response Theory is proposed and illustrated through a simulation study of about 1,000 primary students taking two examinations. This test-equating method allows decision makers in a standard setting exercise access to high quality information. (SLD)

Item-preequating and random groups designs were used to equate forms of the American College Testing Assessment Mathematics Test for over 36,000 students. Equipercentile and three-parameter logistic model item response theory (IRT) procedures were used for both designs. The pretest methods did not compare well with the random groups method. (SLD)

Describes a sixth grade reading workshop in which every class begins with a five-minute minilesson focusing on reading strategies and in which students choose their own books from a variety of sources. Discusses the required assignments in which students write at least one letter per week in a reading dialogue journal. (KEH)

Responds to review by Baker, Daniels, and Greeley of three major programs for systematic training of graduate-level counselors. Addresses each of the models--Human Relations Training/Development, Interpersonal Process Recall, and Microcounseling--and concludes with a discussion of the current status and future promise of systematic counselor…

F. M. Lord's flexilevel, computerized adaptive testing (CAT) procedure was compared to an item-response theory-based CAT procedure that uses Bayesian ability estimation with various standard errors of estimates used for terminating the test. Ability estimates of flexilevel CATs were as accurate as were those of Bayesian CATs. (TJH)

Compared problem-solving behaviors of four samples of couples, sorted by marital happiness/distress and culture (German and Australian). Results showed cultural differences in frequency and functional significance of negative verbal communication, along with cross-culturally consistent marital behaviors associated with marital distress. (Author/TE)

Reports on a study that tested methods to control or reduce spurious response in order to improve survey technique. Examines two methods of controlling spurious response: alerting respondents that some questionnaire items are false, and using the "don't know" response option. Finds that only the "don't know" option actually…

An approach to language arts instruction for hearing-impaired students is described, which emphasizes expression of ideas rather than mechanics. The approach uses literature response journals and discussions to develop critical reading and writing skills, and helps students make the connection between literature study and their own writing. (JDD)