A review of the educational research on humor use will answer many questions about how it works in the classroom. Humor can be classified in three ways, each with its own primary function: superiority theory--sociological function; relief theory--psychological function; and incongruity theory--intellectual function. Classes filled with relevant…

This handbook introduces teachers and students to the "design conversation," a classroom discussion technique with some variations that involve writing or group work. The design conversation helps students understand topics in the subject matters more deeply and explore them analytically and imaginatively. It is a critical and creative…

This collection of essays addresses issues in second language instruction related to focus on linguistic form, as distinguished from communicative or experiential language instruction. Papers include: "Issues and Terminology" (Catherine Doughty, Jessica Williams); "Focus on Form: Theory, Research, and Practice" (Michael H. Long, Peter Robinson);…

This software product is designed to teach spelling to 8- to 14-year-old students. The software may be used without the printed text, but educators will appreciate the added dimension and greater convenience that the lesson plans provide. Along with the 12 lesson plans are worksheets, templates, and other materials needed to complete the…

This software product is designed to teach punctuation to students aged 8 to 14 years. The software may be used without the printed text, but educators will appreciate the added dimension and greater convenience that the lesson plans provide. Along with the 12 lesson plans are worksheets, templates, and other materials needed to complete the…

This bibliography contains information on multicultural activities in the classroom. It is divided into three sections: a list of 97 book resources, a list of 59 journal articles, and a list of 17 ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center) resources. The resources include general multicultural teaching guides and specific topical resources:…

Noting that young children learn about food and nutrition through food preparation, eating together, play, science activities, and games, this resource guide addresses food learning and nutritional provisions in early childhood programs. The guide is designed to meet the needs of children and adults in child care centers, family child care…

This guide provides the practical support teachers need to make literature circles succeed. The information provided in the guide should answer the kinds of questions teachers ask colleagues about implementing literature circles. It is not intended to stand alone. It is designed to supplement and extend two professional books on literature…

This book aims to help teachers turn their classrooms into their very own publishing companies. All that is needed is a computer, a word processor, a digital camera, a color printer, and access to the Internet. The book explains that a new genre of publication, Webbes, are simple nonfiction picture books, and that, matching meaningful text with…

This lesson plan teaches students about the life and work of Martin Luther King, Jr. Students listen to a brief biography, view photographs of the March on Washington, and read a portion of King's "I Have a Dream" speech. After studying Dr. King's use of imagery and allusion, students create original poetic phrases about freedom and…

Suggesting that, given the right tools and encouragement to do so, all children will write, this book describes the technique of "written conversation" in which two partners write back and forth to each other. This coproduced book serves as both a means for communication and expression and as a source of data about the child's knowledge of the…

This workshop kit (an 18-minute videotape, 15 student worksheets, and a teacher's guide) is designed to help children in grades K-2 grasp the meaning of responsibility and to recognize the importance of being a responsible person. The videotape contains a variety of scenarios that show children taking on varying degrees of responsibility. Each of…

This paper outlines an activity which is designed to make students comfortable speaking in the classroom environment. The paper states that, used properly, the activity is also an introduction to each day's course topic, and it encourages students to think about and report their own life experiences that illustrate a core construct from the day's…

Noting the need for children's librarians, preschool teachers, and storytellers to keep their programs interesting and fresh, this guide is comprised of 48 theme-based units for preschool-level programs in libraries, early childhood settings, or at home. The guide is presented in two parts. Part 1 contains tips for theme-based program planning and…

This "Five Kids & a Monkey" health education series intended for elementary age students, takes readers on all kinds of adventures. In this first series, the characters explore the inner workings of a human mouth, take a wild ride through a virus command center or race all around town to save their pal Munchie from a terrible case of…