This paper discusses the benefits of storytelling, especially for the classroom teacher. The paper provides 12 activities for students (Kindergarten-12) to demonstrate how storytelling can help develop communication competencies. The activities included in the paper are: folktale cinquain, The Wicked Stepmother Gets Her Day in Court, storytelling…

This paper reviews concepts and research findings on classroom management techniques and explores how these techniques are related to student discipline strategies. The first section surveys descriptive and experimental research recently accumulated on classroom management practice, concentrating on strategies for monitoring and guiding classroom…

A discussion of use of theater in second language instruction describes one teacher's experience using French masterpieces in the language class. Illustrations are drawn from Racine's seventeenth-century classical tragedy "Andromaque." Five individual and group activities are described that are referred to as the Circle, the Interpreter, the…

There is a widespread belief that new and more extensive efforts should be made in the public schools to teach values. Public schools are a major institution aiding the integration of diverse groups in U.S. society. Furthermore, there are serious problems in U.S. society that values education should address as shown by the incidences of drug…

The life of James Madison, the "Father of the Constitution," and his role in U.S. history are discussed in this guide to an educational program designed to acquaint students with Madison prior to a class field trip to his home, Montpelier. An essay on Madison and the Constitution is included, as well as a vocabulary list, a historic…

Most students today have been reared on television and have had only slight brushes with the parts of grammar. Nevertheless, a variety of sentence pattern exercises and sentence combining lessons based on the students' own writing can be used to augment, challenge and improve students' writing skills and vocabulary. In the first exercise, students…

This book discusses semantic feature analysis, a strategy that helps teachers focus students' attention on vocabulary and increase their sensitivity to language. The first half of the book deals with the theoretical foundation, reviews the research, and describes the basic teaching strategy of semantic feature analysis. The book's second half is…

The result of the belief that there is joy in teaching writing, and that students have the experiences and insights to produce good writing, this book synthesizes the authors' writing classroom experiences. The 18 chapters discuss a variety of topics, including the following: (1) the classroom environment; (2) student journals; (3) writing poetry;…

This guide provides teachers of kindergarten through high school with model lessons relating to water conservation. Age-appropriate suggestions are presented including songs, poems, skits, activity sheets, and field trips. Generic hints and information are included in addition to material which applies specifically to New York City, such as how to…

A compendium of practical information about Australia's Writers/Illustrators in Schools programs, this booklet, compiled in consultation with authors, illustrators, and organizers, strives to smooth the way for both visitors and schools in the challenge of helping children to enjoy books and writing. Pertinent quotes from authors and artists who…

The classroom activities suggested in this resource booklet, proven successful by South Dakota poet Jack Kreitzer, are designed to spark or increase students' creativity by bringing the exciting language of poetry alive in the elementary and secondary classroom. Introductory comments present thoughts on what poetry is and how it should be taught,…

Based on the notion that a "play-way" approach to vocabulary development is superior to rigid, formal lessons, this article presents a vocabulary extension exercise that takes the form of a word game with an element of competition. The method, procedure, and content are clearly outlined, followed by an example of a completed game on the…

Listening is an integral element of the curricular goals of all modern foreign language classrooms because it is: (1) a motivator and facilitator, (2) a reliable predictor of language learning success, and (3) a skill contributing to success in many endeavors in life. A variety of classroom teaching and testing procedures based on listening skills…

Successful listening is a critical element of learning and performing in a new language. Second language teachers should include more listening activities in their class routines, and should consider a greater variety of formats and class organizational styles for those activities. The small-group format, not often used for listening activities,…

The purpose of this study was to systematically examine the cognitive and social effects of the use of microcomputers with kindergarten children in the school and at home. Three schools received microcomputers for use in kindergarten classrooms and each student in one of the classrooms was provided a PCjr and educational software to use at home.…