In the pedagogy of classroom engagement, most instructors have become vastly familiar with first day of class Get-to-Know-You exercises. While entertaining, the empirical value of these exercises is not well established. The present analysis provides a data driven study of the utility of initial engagement activities, including a generalized…

Teaching about diversity and respect for others is a challenging task for today's educators--especially at the middle school level. This article describes successful attempts to do so at the sixth-grade level. These real-life experiences enhanced classroom learning and reached out to the community. The author hopes that other educators will…

In the first part to this article, the author described three stages that he believes are effective starting points for translating familiar classroom activities into mathematics-with-information and communications technology (ICT) lessons that exploit the power of variation to focus student attention. In this second part, the author continues to…

From filmstrips to documentaries to Hollywood movies, social studies teachers have a long tradition of using video in the classroom. In fact, some of the earliest films made were purposefully adapted for social studies instruction as photoplays depicting pivotal events in U.S. history. A key difference between digital video and its predecessors is…

Typically embodied in classroom-based projects, service learning aims to link community service with the school curriculum to enhance both character development and academic skills. Service learning can also go beyond these goals to prepare students to become engaged citizens, by expanding their understanding of social problems and the role of…

The current study examined the accuracy of the multiple-stimulus without replacement (MSWO) preference assessment for identifying preferred common classroom activities as reinforcers with children with behavioral disorders. The accuracy of predictions from the MSWO regarding high, medium, and low stimulus preference was tested by providing…

Culturally relevant pedagogy uses cultural references to develop students' knowledge and identities thereby empowering them academically, socially and politically. This article examined how four Chinese heritage languages teachers constructed culturally relevant pedagogy in their language instructions. Qualitative cross-case analysis indicated…

Mr. Smith and Ms. D'Amico are two veteran science teachers in a well-performing school district. Both teachers use weekly lab exercises and experiments as formative assessments. In their middle school classrooms, children are engaged and eager to learn. As students walk into Mr. Smith's classroom, a prescribed, step-by-step procedure of the day's…

The nature of IS technologies and the range of their appropriate and inappropriate uses continue to evolve and expand. MIS educational programs have a challenge to provide both the appropriate content to introduce students to classic information ethics problems, as well as the methods for analyzing possible actions within a complex realistic…

The use of handheld computers in educational contexts has increased considerably in recent years and their value as a teaching tool has been confirmed by many positive experiences, particular within collaborative learning systems (Mobile Computer Supported Collaborative Learning [MCSCL]). The cost of the devices has hindered widespread use in…

This article examines a number of issues facing family and consumer sciences (FCS) teachers in today's middle and high school classrooms and reviews literature supporting the use of newspapers as a valuable teaching resource in light of these issues. Suggestions for using newspapers and newspaper industry resources to enhance the FCS curriculum…

Exploring our patent system is a great way to engage students in creative problem solving. As a result, the authors designed a teaching unit that uses the study of patents to explore one avenue in which scientists and engineers do science. Specifically, through the development of an idea, students learn how science and technology are connected.…

The dollar, once one of the world's strongest currencies, has fallen dramatically in recent years--a development impacting attitudes from corporate boardrooms to the sets of music videos where artists are choosing to flash the euro over American cash. When measured against a collection of other leading worldwide currencies--like the European euro,…

The author relates how his realization that students react to lessons positively if they are made to feel like part of a team. The teacher decided to a start a company within his classroom, "hiring" managers, camera operators, and designers to help him start the venture. Students were challenged to apply for a job by submitting an application, a…

Empathy is the ability to understand another's perspective and to consider it before acting. This is a difficult skill for a young child who is egocentric--in the "Me!" stage. The ability to feel empathy is directly related to the ability to form relationships. Relationships give children the feeling of security, which allows them to feel safe and…