Presents conducting techniques for music educators. Explains the Visual Score Study (VSS) that assists conductors in developing baton movement. Analyzes and discusses how to use the VSS movements. Focuses on using a technique called registration. Explores four additional technical matters: conducting arm, baton, body, and orchestra. (CMK)

Profiles a working model of a 6-to-12 class, operating from the premise that both 6-to-9 and 9-to-12 levels embody the same complete equipping of the prepared environment for the elementary level and include all the elementary presentations. Suggests that key lessons in language, mathematics, science, social studies, and history need to be…

The Baiga of central India are known for their extensive knowledge of the forest and healing. Healing knowledge is transmitted orally from male expert practitioners to novices. Features of this instruction, which is experiential and geared to the apprentice's levels of interest and ability, raise questions about the feasibility of including…

Discusses the issue of free speech for students at school. Focuses on the role of the school when it comes to student freedom of speech on the Internet, when student speech is accessible from school, when the topic is about the schools, or when their speech affects the school. (CMK)

Discusses the importance of music teachers developing a philosophy. Offers questions to help teachers focus their thoughts on developing their philosophies. Covers issues related to the importance of quality literature, music history, and competitions. (CMK)

Focuses on the stereotypes associated with Arab Americans. States that these stereotypes must be abandoned to stop prejudice against their community. Provides background information on Arab Americans. Discusses the role that educators and counselors have in helping Arab American students deal with prejudice against them. Includes resources on…

Proposes that fifth-graders' emergent and sustained controversy in a unit on endangered species from a "Fostering Communities of Learners" classroom exemplifies productive disciplinary engagement. Shows how engagement was supported by the students' and teacher's treatment, by students having authority to resolve the issue while being…

Explores reasons why adolescents lose interest in art by focusing on the internal and external disruptions in their artistic development. Discusses the influence of manga, or comics, on the artistic development of children in Japan and relates the characteristics of manga. Addresses the use of manga within the Japanese art curriculum. (CMK)

Describes the political elasticity (PE) theory that permits equal consideration of political science and public administration, discussing the five major propositions of the theory. Utilizes the principles of political elasticity by focusing on six countries (Netherlands, Egypt, Japan, Sierre Leone, Singapore, and Jamaica) that underscore the…

Explores consciousness studies as a basis for music education philosophy. Examines five areas: (1) background on human consciousness; (2) consciousness as seen from two paradigms; (3) music viewed from a larger perspective; (4) importance of music education as reflecting real-life music making; and (5) critique of music education practice. (CMK)

This article discusses international (governmental) and local (school/institution-based) issues related to appropriate support for the dyslexic multilingual child. The article then identifies factors to consider when developing an assessment package that can be used to identify educational needs with children from different language backgrounds.…

Two reviews of an ambitious comparative study of elementary classroom practices and realities in the United States (Michigan), England, France, Russia, and India. There is no single definition of best practice in education, for both means and ends are culturally specific. Recent English educational policy emphasizing a generic definition and…

Discusses topics essential to good classroom management for ensemble music teachers. Explores the importance of planning and preparation, good teaching practice within the classroom, and using an effective discipline plan to deal with any behavior problems in the classroom. Includes a bibliography of further resources. (CMK)

Focuses on students' use of a research participation record sheet where students keep track of their own participation in research projects and have researchers sign the sheet to prove student's participation. Surveys the student participants and the researchers involved. Addresses the problems that occurred using this system. (CMK)

Summarizes the report of Lynne Cheney, chairperson of the National Endowment of the Arts, titled, "Tyrannical Machines: A Report on Educational Practices Gone Wrong and Our Best Hope for Setting Them Right." Noted are gaps in general knowledge, weaknesses of teacher education courses, and university tendencies to value research over teaching. (DB)