The article focuses on the first two of six elements of effective instruction (warm-up and introductory activity) and applies them to the use of computer software aids in special education. Examples of suitable warm-up and introductory activities are provided. (DB)

Reiterating that students have become a potent market force, explains how teachers can introduce the concept of consumer law. Gives three examples of hypothetical situations in which contracts, warranties, and ethics are discussed. (GG)

High school physical education curricula should concentrate less on sport skill development and competition, and more on health-related fitness and aerobic activity. Results are reported from a study of the type and amount of aerobic exercise provided in 29 high school physical education programs in a large metropolitan area. (IAH)

Describes a two-week class activity in which students attempt an extended definition of an abstract word, working collaboratively and using the library's reference material extensively. Notes that students take careful notes on both the information and their search processes, and integrate the information into a mini-research paper detailing their…

Presents a literature-sharing activity which promotes children's participation in and enjoyment of reading. Describes how students write riddles about characters in books which have recently been read aloud to the class. (MG)

Presents a story-writing activity to encourage the relationship between children's experiences with literature and their ability to write. Emphasizes the importance of having students work in cooperative groups. (MG)

Describes the interdisciplinary approach used by a language arts teacher and a social studies teacher to teach seventh graders about the Great Depression. Discusses how students prepare interviews, radio plays, and newsreels. (SR)

Discusses instructional activities designed to foster the reading-writing connection in the content area classroom. Describes the use of "possible sentences," learning logs, freewriting, dialogue journals, the RAFT technique (role, audience, format, and topic), and the "opinion-proof" organization strategy. (RS)

Discusses the problems of teaching time concepts to children. Suggests alternatives to the traditional time line. Describes the use of bottles and boxes as symbols of units of time when encouraging children to visualize and understand time. Provides information which will assist teachers in using these techniques. (KO)

Teachers are encouraged to use contemporary French songs for language instruction, and are given guidelines for choosing and teaching the songs and for class exercises exploiting the instructional potential of songs. (MSE)

Four articles present ideas for classroom French language teaching. Topics include the semantic distinctions between the French words for nation, state, and country; historical events in the 10 years following the French Revolution; class creation of a newspaper during the French Revolution; and exercises focusing on the Eiffel Tower. (MSE)

Suggests a variety of class activities analyzing the language used in French-language advertisements. (MSE)

Examines the use of Honig's 12 tasks of early childhood learning in conjunction with a varied curriculum to enhance children's interest in and acquisition of information about dinosaurs. (BB)

Argues that cooperative learning activities such as small group activities are important in social studies classes because they enhance text comprehension, nurture interaction skills, develop democratic behavior, and actively involve the students. (RS)

Expressive activities are suggested to help teachers understand the underlying emotional problems of learning-disabled children. Activities include the teacher-made questionnaire, the sentence completion exercise, the student-made autobiography, and student drawings of self and family. (DB)