In conjunction with National Children's Book Week, this article provides activities to motivate children's reading; descriptions of some unusual elementary reading programs; ideas for creating book clubs and reading corners in the classroom; a children's literature quiz; and Allan Yeager's annotated list of the best children's books of this…

The author and his third graders personalized their classroom by wrapping the tables and chairs in paper and decorating each one. (SJL)

Asserts that successful classroom upgrades involve an examination of five areas: program fit within an existing building, technology utilization, regulatory compliance, building systems, and aesthetics. A successful renovation project also requires an extensive planning process that includes input from teachers, school administrators, and parents.…

An architect and educational facilities consultant talks about the roles of architect and user in a building process, suggesting how educators can make best use of partnerships with architects. (EV)

Suggestions are offered for organizing classrooms to promote learning by all students, including those with special educational needs. Two case studies illustrate the impact of reorganization of intermediate grade classrooms in terms of time on task, motivation, noise level, teacher-student communication, and other factors. (JDD)

Outlines factors to be considered in planning a dedicated room when a school system plans to become involved in a network of interactive television for distance learning. (MLF)

Offers tips on creating interactive bulletin boards and displays designed to help elementary students develop thinking skills and number concepts and to help teachers with such daily tasks as taking attendance, keeping track of birthdays, doing lunch counts, maintaining job lists, and exploring individual student characteristics. (SM)

Classroom shape is an important variable in educational quality. The traditional squat rectangle may be counterproductive to the learning process. The fat L-shaped classroom, compared to H, X, and T shapes, offers good separation, is more compact, and provides good visibility and ease of movement for the teacher. It has excellent nesting…

Describes a shift in both teaching approach and classroom design as experienced by two high school English teachers. Outlines an experimental learning model of English instruction, and shows how the teachers applied the model to their classroom activities and design. Provides outcomes of the overall shift. (HB)

Describes The Walt Disney Company's K-12 school of the future design that was developed from combining the hands-on knowledge of a school district and the curriculum expertise of a teaching university. Several illustrations and a basic floor plan are provided. (GR)

Makes suggestions for learning materials to be used in the block area, dramatic play area, the sensory table, and outdoor space to provide opportunities to enhance preschool children's social development. Notes the importance of rotating materials regularly to keep them enticing to children. (KB)

Discusses how proper classroom design and technology can compensate for poor acoustics and help students hear better. Issues to discuss with the school architect are highlighted. (GR)

Discusses the use of interactive television (ITV) in higher education and describes graduate courses taught with ITV at Washington State University. Highlights include problems encountered with ITV in traditional classrooms; criteria for evaluating the appropriateness of ITV classrooms; and guidelines for the development of effective ITV…

Discusses school design trends for K-12 public schools focusing on such issues as school size, interdisciplinary learning, team teaching, and less rigid classroom structure and more independence for students. Strategies and questions to consider for achieving design goals for the future are highlighted, including classroom shapes for elementary…

Innovative teaching techniques for delivering courses in the 21st century will include use of audio, data, and video in classrooms, as well as transmission to distant sites. Toward this end, the University of South Florida, in opening its newest campus at Lakeland, has built facilities, designed an administrative organization, and provided…