Childhood Education articles from June 1995

Childhood Education archives from June 1995

Formal education of children in Jamaica.
June 22, 1995... Jamaica's system for the care and education of 4- to 6-year-olds has been in place for much of the 20th century. Education reform in this developing Caribbean country generally consists of modifications to existing structures implemented in...

Project work with diverse students: adapting curriculum based on the Reggio Emilia approach.
June 22, 1995... The preschools of Reggio Emilia, Italy, have generated excitement among early childhood educators in the U.S. and throughout the rest of the world. Presentations at professional conferences concerning these Italian schools draw standing-room-only...

Writing the narrative-style research report in elementary school.
June 22, 1995... Polly, a 3rd-grader, sat down to begin her assignment to write about an animal. She decided to write about a turtle. After a few minutes of writing, however, she raised her hand and asked the teacher, "Mr. Crane, what are turtles' shells made...

Dream or nightmare? Planning for a year without textbooks.
June 22, 1995... Imagine your dream coming true - NO MORE TEXTBOOKS! Your district has decided to stop purchasing textbooks. Instead, beginning in September, K-2 children will be taught through an integrated curricular approach. Sounds great, doesn't it? A few...

Push, pull, toss, tilt, swing: physics for young children.
June 22, 1995... Allisha and Matthew are in the science area of their kindergarten room rolling balls down ramps that they constructed from cardboard tubes, a few blocks and some tape. Their explorations are punctuated by squeals of delight and brief discussions...

Supporting young children's motor skill development.
June 22, 1995... Jane is outside with her group of 3- and 4-year-olds. She watches Tyler pick up a ball and attempt to throw it while stepping forward with the same foot as his throwing hand. Noticing the awkwardness of his movement, Jane thinks, "He's only 3...

What works in urban middle schools.
June 22, 1995... In light of the grim realities faced by many urban students, urban middle school educators should consider the complementary nature of effective schools literature and the middle school concept. Some urban schools undoubtedly provide effective...

Inclusion: one way a professional development school can make a difference.
June 22, 1995... In the past, children with disabilities have often been clustered in separate schools or in schools that they would not otherwise attend. Once identified as having a handicapping condition, these children become the responsibility of special...

Reflection is essential in teacher education.
June 22, 1995... Professionalization has become a very important issue in the field of early childhood education. Reflection on one's own work is a key component of being a professional (Schon, 1983) and is essential to teacher education. Teachers must examine...

Portfolios: interactive and dynamic instructional tool.
June 22, 1995... The power of any tool lies not in its creation, but in its use. A sculpting tool is useless unless it is used by a sculptor. At first the tool is awkward, even unwieldy, until the sculptor learns the most effective ways to use it. Interaction...

"It's winter at my house and spring at your house - and that's the way the world goes 'round!" (teaching children about the weather and the different seasons)
June 22, 1995... The title statement was made by my 5-year-old grandson when he called from New York State to find out what was happening in Texas. I thought it was a rather profound statement. Parents and grandparents continue to look for educational materials...

Children's Voices: Talk in the Classroom.
June 22, 1995... One of my colleagues recently showed me an old cartoon clipped from a professional journal. In the cartoon, a teacher is explaining to a group of pupils how exciting her class would be. "This course is going to stimulate your thinking and your...

The Laughing Classroom: Everyone's Guide to Teaching with Humor and Play.
June 22, 1995... How I wish I had a humor mentor, especially one named Professor Oops! The Laughing Classroom is a perfect cure for teaching doldrums, lesson languor and student stupor. Steve Allen, in the book's forward, explains how "masters in any profession...

Listening to Children Read Aloud: Data from NAEP's Integrated Reading Performance Record (IRPR) at Grade 4.
June 22, 1995... Reading aloud is as much a part of the educational fabric as recess, textbooks and the school lunch box. Ask the average American for school-related images and, sooner or later, oral reading will be mentioned. Considering that this practice is so...

Windows Into the Classroom: NAEP's 1992 Writing Portfolio Study.
June 22, 1995... As part of an intensive study of American students' academic progress, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) studied the types of writing performed in school, the quality of student writing and the relationship between...

Stowaway!(Evaluation)
June 22, 1995... Many children, and adults, have been fascinated by Stephen Biesty's books of cross sections. Readers can spend hours gazing at the author/illustrator's incredibly detailed scenes that portray every person, activity and equipment connected with a...