Presents literature-based activities that take division off the workbook pages and place it in situations to which children can relate. The activities help students understand division, devise strategies, and solve problems in context. Both activities involve reading stories then using division to solve real-life problems for story characters. (SM)

A study involving 22 Australian Aboriginal students, age about 11 years, and 12 controls found that a thinking skills program, the Cognitive Research Trust Program, can enhance their creative thinking in mainstream classrooms, but did not improve scholastic aptitude, academic achievement, thinking approaches, self-concept as a thinker, or locus of…

Describes a writing assignment based on a "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episode in which an alien sacrifices his life so two cultures can come together. Provides questions for students to answer during the viewing of the episode. Suggests a writing assignment (and several variations) in which students create their own alien. (TB)

Analyzes ways in which biology is taught by experienced teachers and discusses contexts in which specific teaching strategies seemed successful. Analyses of teachers' responses reveals complex relationships among their perception of what was distinctive about their biology program and students, allocation of class time, efforts to individualize…

Provides a description of a project using a draw-a-scientist test to probe students' perceptions of who does science under what conditions. Details are provided regarding the methodology with research instruments included. Instructions for participating in a national study using the draw-a-scientist test are provided. (DDR)

Describes ways to incorporate science into events that typically happen during the school year, including the school carnival, school assemblies, open house, book fair, sports events, newsletters, field trips, schoolyard cleanup, career days, and parent-teacher conferences. Presents tips to encourage parents to support an improved science program…

The dynamic interplay between internal and external evaluation in formative and summative studies of an intervention program aimed at promoting mathematics, science, and technology education was explored. Results emphasize the need to define the roles of formative and summative evaluation and the contributions of internal and external evaluators…

Looks back on the history of suicidology to discuss important concepts that have become well established, such as clues to suicide, ambivalence, crisis services, suicide consultations, and psychological autopsies. Recommendations for the long-term treatment of patients are provided. Research on youth suicide is reported. Examines new developments…

The Self-Esteem Index (SEI), designed to assess self-esteem in school-age children and adolescents, is composed of four self-esteem subscales: Perception of Familial Acceptance, Perception of Academic Competence, Perception of Peer Popularity, and Perception of Personal Security. Discusses these subscales and makes recommendations regarding the…

Describes a two-year study to determine the relationship between initial evaluations of student placement essays and progress in a developmental writing course sequence at a midsize university. Finds a positive relationship and presents the methodology as a model for assessment, citing its adaptability, minimal costs, and improved program…

Examines a proposal for new directions in research related to the content literacy training given to college developmental educators. Includes specific suggestions for long-term, collaborative research related to class size, types of tracking and testing, determining the audience receiving training, and changing definitions of text and literacy.…

Constructive tension can be healthy for an organization. Although win-lose solutions based on adversarial strategies are common, the management of conflicts in schools should focus on win-win problem solving, which requires creativity. Identifies collaboration as the most desirable conflict resolution strategy, and discusses conflict management…

Findings from a study of changes in the organization of 23 preservice teachers' knowledge about teaching indicate that student teachers reconstructed their knowledge during the middle of student teaching, and attributed the changes primarily to the student teaching experience. Flexibility and planning were the two key concepts that changed…

Uses 90 postsecondary writing instructors and their rankings of 9 student essays to determine whether they have biases for a Greco-Latinate or Anglo-Saxon vocabulary. Raises questions about assessment practices, teaching methods, and possible effects on students who are exposed to teachers who variously favor a Greco-Latinate or an Anglo-Saxon…

The professoriate has its own historic figures after whom it models its actions. Socrates is proposed as the archetype of the heroic professor. Analysis of his career, character, and teaching methods is used to identify essential qualities that define the professoriate. Ways in which his work can inspire college teaching are discussed. (Author/MSE)