Introduces a new column written for the one-computer classroom and offers several perspectives for connecting software applications to trade book reading. Describes eight software packages for extending and enhancing students' reading of different genres: fairy tales, realistic fiction, science fiction, and biography and historical fiction in…

Existing in schools means actively doing and critically pursuing possibilities for teacher growth and achievement. Two vignettes focus on principals who fully exist in their schools. One principal created a circle of caring and cooperation by stressing positive language. The other shared his contagious school vision and sparked teacher thinking…

To understand teachers' professional development, career stories were collected from 10 experienced Flemish elementary teachers using semistructured biographical interviews. There were two recurring themes (striving for job stability and feelings of vulnerability). Results indicated the narrative-biographical approach is a feasible perspective for…

Having learned power struggles and budget-busting practices can block the best educational improvement efforts, former Sacramento schools chief has assumed leadership of Tacoma schools, less visible district with 20,000 fewer students. What matters to Superintendent Rudy Crew is roots, balance in life, and the chance to stretch an urban school…

During the 1960s, Dorothy Rich used paper cartons, tables, lamps, chairs, electric bills, and other paraphernalia of home life to construct "recipes" to help parents prepare their kids for achieving academic success. Rich's contemporary MegaSkills training program, developed at the Home and School Institute, is highly regarded. (MLH)

Relates the story of the life of Grant MacEwan, an institution in the Canadian West. Describes his professional career, contributions to Canadian history, published works, and unique religious views. Claims that MacEwan is to Western Canada what Robert Burns is to Scotland. (DSK)

Reading biographies will acquaint students with the contributions of African Americans in science, invention, and exploration. This article provides annotated bibliographies of collective and individual biographies; identifies sources of bulletin board and teaching materials and videotapes; and suggests class activities for individual and groups…

Investigates the effect of the presentation of brief biographical materials on women scientists on student knowledge of women scientists and on student perceptions of scientists. Contains 29 references. (DDR)

Presents creative ways to integrate social studies and language arts while teaching content and examining historical personalities. Students can read biographies then deliver first person reports while standing behind billboards, write letters in the character of famous people, read poetry with historical perspective, and keep journals from…

Traditional research methodologies (questionnaire surveys) ignore the role of institutional contexts in defining and structuring human agency. Biography and ethnography acknowledge context's importance in constructing leadership systems and treat followers' implicit theories more effectively. This article discusses the purposes, problems, and…

Traces the career of Claude A. Eggertsen, who helped to establish comparative education as the centerpiece in the Social Foundations Department of the School of Education at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Discusses Eggertsen's involvement with the Comparative and International Education Society and his view of global awareness as essential…

Explains that by studying the music of Clara Schumann, music classes can learn about some of the musical forms, styles, and techniques of the Romantic period. Considers teaching strategies centered around Clara Schumann's "Variations on a Theme of Robert Schumann" and provides background information on her life. (CMK)

Addresses why Charles Beard's reputation as a historian deteriorated, provides information on his life, and discusses his conceptions of history. Considers Beard's notions of social studies education, focusing on his ten social goals, the 12 characteristics of the "individual side" of social studies, and his proposed curricular plan. (CMK)

Describes a biography writing project in which second- and fifth-grade students interview each other and write biographical sketches. Explains that this project helps to develop students' reading and writing skills, uses cross-age mentoring, and introduces students to biographical research and writing. Includes a list of ten biographies for…

Examines the kinds of inquiry fourth-grade children accomplished in a cross-curricular unit involving various kinds of texts. Identifies the circumstances that accompany the best examples of student thought, talk, and questions. Describes procedures used as well as the talk that accompanied each type of text (biography, historical fiction, and…