The seasonal activities presented are: observing herbs to encourage use of the senses in writing; watching a jack-o'-lantern wither to learn skills in writing details; and building snowmen to learn to explain a string of events in writing. (SM)

Maintains that the lecture method in history can still function as an effective means of instruction if approached with a critical perspective. Outlines creative and engaging approaches for the history lecture and specific suggestions for organization, delivery, and content coverage. (MJP)

Viewing teaching as an art, it is suggested that teachers should be prepared as artists are prepared. A model is presented for a preservice professional program which develops a pridefully creative outlook, an understanding of the humanities, a knowledge of pedagogy, and a personal artistic teaching style. (JD)

Three elementary level publishing projects encourage students' writing skills. The first involves painting a poetry quilt. The second has students create stories through collage using the Image-Making within the Writing Process program. The third involves creating oral histories of older people and using computer software to conduct research. (SM)

Presents a group of 24 innovative mathematics activities from teachers nationwide designed to sharpen elementary students' math skills. The article is part of a package of 100 creative ideas for keeping elementary students enthused about learning in language arts, science, social studies, and math. (SM)

Describes three computer spelling programs that take the emphasis off memorization and instead provide innovative ideas for helping students remember their spelling words. One program organizes spelling words starting with the most frequently used words. The second provides multiple levels of instruction simultaneously. The third uses…

This paper recommends edutainment to engage students' senses and get them involved by presenting lessons in a way that makes education interesting and entertaining. Suggestions for creative edutainment include using exciting computer software, joining the Internet, hooking up to cable television, and providing a variety of magazines. (SM)

The article describes how one Hawaiian couple came to the decision to home school their son, explaining the educational habits and patterns they established in their lives from the time he was an infant that eventually led into home preschool education. (SM)

This paper addresses factors to consider in establishing a healthy learning environment and a satisfying first-year experience for dance educators. Factors include establishing a positive working relationship with principals and teachers, considering students' physical and emotional development, using discipline, fostering self-management skills,…

Role play is effective in cooperative learning because it reduces anxiety, promotes risk taking, and is versatile. Students share ideas, values, knowledge, and skills, creating mutual problem solving. Limitations include the time required and student personalization of roles. The article lists guidelines for enhancing role play, noting alternative…

Presents ideas to help parents make readers and writers out of their 11 and 12 year olds. Reading ideas include subscribing to teen magazines, reading aloud, and finding movies based on books. Writing ideas include writing lyrics to popular melodies, creating time lines, and making crossword puzzles. (SM)

Presents a handbook of activities to sharpen elementary students' observational and critical thinking skills as they monitor national, local, and classroom elections. Activities teach the steps of sound decision making. Students learn to set up complete classroom or schoolwide elections. A poster describes life in the White House. (SM)

Discusses how teachers can intervene to help elementary students make thoughtful decisions about their writing topics, noting that advocating student choice does not mean abdicating the role as classroom manager. The article describes choices that writers make and explains how to handle difficult situations. (SM)

Presents four elementary school crafts that celebrate the cultural heritage of people worldwide. Crafts are a universal means of cultural expression that provide opportunities to explore multicultural understanding. The article describes how to make Russian dolls, Hmong story cloths, Guatemalan hand puppets, and Haitian steel drum cutouts. (SM)

Describes Math Safari, a mathematical, scientific, geographic, informational adventure for fourth grade students. It integrates all curriculum areas and other skills by using information children must find in books to pose math problems about animals. It encourages cooperative learning, critical reading, analysis, and use of research skills. (SM)