Presents suggestions for elementary-level teachers to use at the beginning of the school year, including meet the teacher activities, back-to-school parades, a welcome bulletin board, bereavement coping skills, creative science, math manipulatives, social studies activities, and creative story writing. (SM)

Illustrates that every child is to some degree involved in every class activity. Creative teaching can accommodate the needs of an apparently nonparticipating child. (BB)

It is possible to connect art and language arts using traditional Japanese art. After explaining the Japanese art forms of Haiku poetry and sumi-e painting, the article describes a project in which students write haiku on special paper then illustrate their poems with gung and shey strokes. (SM)

Aerobics instructors can use step aerobics to motivate students. One creative method is to add the step to the circuit workout. By incorporating the step, aerobic instructors can accommodate various fitness levels. The article explains necessary equipment and procedures, describing sample stations for cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength,…

The Highland School, located in the remote hills of West Virginia, is modeled on John Dewey's ideas. This laboratory school promotes experiential learning and believes that interaction between children, teachers, and the environment is the key to learning. The article describes the schools' founding and the philosophy behind it. (SM)

Describes how one Hawaiian family home schooled their three children, explaining how they came to the decision to create such an educational program and noting how each child adapted to the program and its daily routines. The article also discusses the home schooling movement in general. (SM)

Introduces Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) and explains how those practices are effective with five- through eight-year olds. Key elements discussed are: children learn by doing through active engagement, the idea of play with intent and purpose, and moving from the simple to the complex in planning for learning in active and engaging…

Parents and teachers can help children enjoy the benefits of visiting museums. While school tours are important, family visits are invaluable. Drawing real benefits from visiting museums requires in-depth family visits. The article discusses the advantages of children's museums, examines learning within museums, and presents tips for visiting…

Elementary teachers can help students consider how much trash they create by analyzing lunchroom waste. Students research the problem, brainstorm lists of items thrown away, and monitor the cafeteria, counting items and collecting data. They enter information into a spreadsheet which the class examines to search for alternatives. (SM)

The article helps elementary teachers develop science programs geared to their students, emphasizing the appropriateness of hands-on activities and developmental learning. It presents three Earth Day water projects on rain and puddles, water drops and surface tension, and water purification that can be tailored for specific classes. (SM)

Article discusses the four elements of good elementary science programs and offers ideas for creative hands-on science and across-the-curriculum activities (e.g., a please touch science center, curriculum planning chart, and getting to know you water activity). It notes science-related events and describes four science reference books. (SM)

Mask-making with simple art materials can be used to reinforce elementary students' reading, writing, and interpersonal skills. The article describes a mask-making project that connected fourth graders with language, literature, and self-expression. (SM)

Describes how a first-grade teacher developed an effective spelling program for his classroom that teaches sounds and words in the context of children's experiences. His program encourages students to memorize and learn words because the words are important to them rather than picked for them. (SM)

Article presents suggestions for motivating elementary students to learn by combining science and writing. The strategies include planning the right environment; teaching the scientific method; establishing a link to literature; and making time for students to observe, experiment, and write. (SM)

Five teachers recommend their favorite elementary teaching tools, including a counting board, a keyboard introduction game, geoboards for the overhead projector, a book on crafts using recyclables, tape recorders, computerized games, interlink cubes, a geology book, videotaped sentence structure games, and a solar calculator for use on overhead…