Outcome-based education (OBE), which grew out of the mastery learning movement, calls for determining the skills, knowledge, and habits of mind students need in preparation for life after graduation. The article describes the history and implementation of OBE and provides a list of OBE-based resources. (SM)

The article describes how to use a word processing program and add-on story starters for different genres to enhance elementary students' creative writing skills. Teachers input story starters, then students select a genre and add on a story version in that genre. Students can also develop their own story starters. (SM)

Presents descriptions of the most commonly taught thinking skills and information on how to present, model, and practice those skills in class. The guide also includes a quiz designed to help the teacher take advantage of everyday opportunities to promote thinking skills, and 10 critical thinking skills strategies. (GLR)

Examines the reasons why a child's writing gets bogged down and discusses ways in which the child can be gently encouraged to take writing risks. Also included are descriptions of writing exercises designed to stretch student creativity. (GLR)

Examines the use of computers, strategies for using packaged software and the use of multimedia in the elementary school classroom. Information on telecommunication software and examples of its use are also provided. The article includes addresses and phone numbers for acquiring product information. (GLR)

Maintains that student ratings of instructors' teaching can be a useful source of information for instructional development and for evaluation purposes. Discusses purposes of student ratings, perceptions of student ratings, and student rating information methods. (SR)

Describes a method of teaching writing founded on a concept of response papers based on the strong emotional reactions of students to assigned texts. Gives examples from several student papers, highlighting typical kinds of response. Argues for the response paper as a site for safe thought concerning difficult issues. (HB)

Crack addicts are bringing about 475,000 damaged children yearly into society. This article describes classroom techniques proven effective with crack-affected children afflicted with hyperactivity, impulsivity, learning and memory problems, and inability to grasp cause/effect relationships. The teaching techniques include removing stimuli from…

Explores the conflict between views of drama held by foreign language teachers and proponents of creative dramatics. Explains how formal rehearsal and public performance of plays in elementary school foreign language classes offer significant educational benefits toward fluency in a target language. (SR)

Shares the views of one professor of reading in Berlin on reading instruction in Germany both before and after the reunification of Germany. (MG)

Extends a previous article which describes an assignment (integrating many concepts taught in a technical writing course) in which students write an employee handbook. Describes the employment-at-will doctrine and discusses some recent legal cases surrounding employee handbooks. Offers exercises on defining audience, classifying and partitioning,…

Five publications on the teaching of thinking skills are reviewed. The reviews address the quality of the publications in general and their value to the field of gifted education. The publications cover educational levels from elementary through college. One publication specifically emphasizes an across-the-curriculum approach, and one focuses on…

This article summarizes recent research into incidence of speech and language disorders in behaviorally handicapped children. Issues facing clinicians working with these children are discussed, including speech-language objectives and techniques, appropriate behavior management techniques, and consultation with other professionals. (Author/PB)

An egg incubation project for students with severe visual impairments is described as an integrated curriculum project. Tactual aids were used to illustrate stages of fetal development. Objectives and activities including a farm visit, cooking, related arts, writing projects, and literature are described. (PB)

The literature on fears and phobias of children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities is reviewed. Assessment procedures are then examined, including interviews, self-reports, parent rating scales, and behavioral observations. Interventions are drawn from the principles of respondent, operant, and vicarious conditioning. (Author/DB)