Describes a classroom exercise to explain design and measurement principles in methodology and statistics courses. This demonstration which involves measurement of a shift from food acceptance to food rejection produces meaningful data sets. The realism of the exercise gives students a view of problems that emerge in research. (KO)

Argues that informing, entertaining, building self-esteem, and assessing reading needs are rational bases for oral reading. Asserts that by adhering to a number of restraints, a classroom community may realize the multiple benefits of oral reading as an instructional and assessment tool. (RS)

Argues that social studies teachers should help improve effective speaking through promoting students' awareness of audience throughout the school year. Presents class activities to promote growth in this skill. (SR)

Describes a workshop, focusing on the books of Donald Crews, which demonstrates how children's literature can be incorporated into the reading program. Emphasizes the need for workshops in which teachers can read and work with literature in the same ways they would with children. (MM)

Identifies characteristics of first-language-based communicative activities for use in second language instruction, in particular authenticity of language usage and a targeted manipulation of learners' use of specific communication strategies. The use of first language materials in second language instruction can add variety and an element of…

Uses a class exercise that tests the folk wisdom concerning small-town friendliness. Students are assigned to express random friendliness to strangers so they can determine whether friendlier responses are elicited in small towns or large cities. (KO)

Describes how "jigsawing," a teaching method using two types of group inquiry in sequence, is uniquely suited to the classroom analysis of literature with multiple perspectives. Outlines the procedure with examples from lessons on Judith Guest's "Ordinary People." (MM)

Discusses how several forms of authentic materials can be used in the foreign language classroom. Materials are included from videotape, audiotape, and print. Sample activities use each medium for Spanish and French classes of various levels. Sources for authentic materials are listed in Appendices. (LMO)

Four ideas for French language classroom activities are described, including a vocabulary development exercise about jobs, a reading comprehension exercise; discussion of a Flaubert text; and an art appreciation activity based on a Picasso sculpture. (MSE)

Describes several uses for computers in the English classroom, including word processing, typing practice, and networking. (MM)

Describes French language class simulation activities, based on life inside a Parisian apartment building, that combine oral and written language practice. (MSE)

Presents activities that focus on shadows to teach about seasonal changes and the earth's tilting axis. Includes suggestions for indoor discussions, diagrams, and models, and for outdoor observations and measurements of shadows. (SV)

Explains how a hermit crab, the classroom pet for a class of learning disabled elementary level students, stimulated various writing-related activities, including categorizing, information gathering, and poetry writing. (MM)

Describes an exercise which promotes awareness of the recent movement to eliminate gender-biased noun and pronoun usage from the language. Provides instructions on how to change sexist noun and pronoun usages into non-sexist language, and lists several ways to make writing gender neutral. (MM)

Describes a role-playing activity to help students effectively extract information from an oral source, as in an interview. (MM)