Having reviewed several bodies of research, the authors provide 14 guidelines for educators to help English learners (ELs) make greater strides in learning English. These guidelines are: (1) Providing English Language Development (ELD) instruction is better than not providing it; (2) ELD instruction should continue at least until ELs attain…

In the past century, the threats to children's health have shifted radically. Life-threatening infectious diseases--smallpox, polio, and cholera--have been largely conquered. But children are growing up in a world in which environmental toxins are ubiquitous. Measurable levels of hundreds of man-made chemicals are routinely found in the bodies of…

Many elementary teachers teach students to write, but this writing tends to focus only on students writing about themselves or writing short stories. Because students do not spend enough time in the early grades reading nonfiction in science and history, they lack the knowledge--of both content and the nature of nonfiction writing--necessary to…

In the last issue of "American Educator," several scholars argued in favor of a common core curriculum. By common core, they meant that the curriculum should be broadly adopted (enabling improvements in instructional materials, student tests, and teacher training), but also limited (preserving instructional time for districts, schools, and…

The National Education Association (NEA) is America's oldest education association, and it has become one of America's most powerful unions. It boasts 3.2 million members nationwide and is comprised of more than half of the public school teachers in the United States. Its annual reported receipts in 2009 totaled more than $377 million. The NEA's…

Before the Civil Rights movement, the lack of accurate representations of people of color was evident. Children's literature did not present accurate depictions of Mexican-Americans in the text. Sarapes, sombreros and fiestas were typical symbols used to identify Mexican culture and traditions. The Civil Rights Movement sparked a change for…

Describes how one teacher got elementary students excited about writing poetry by providing them with simple rules and structures and encouraging them to take chances. Strategies included having each child contribute one line to a poem, discouraging rhyming (which is difficult and blocks creativity), encouraging them to write freely, and having…

Middle school teacher describes a framework that gives inexperienced, anxious writers the confidence to write. The process, called doing prompts, stems from analyzing prompts or writing assignments that outline the topic for a piece of writing. The process involves analyzing the prompt being called for, completing a graphic organizer, composing…

Describes how teachers can make writing an important part of everyday life within the school community by: conferring with students about purpose and audience; elevating genres particular to schools; designing community service assignments; expecting that artwork will be accompanied by text; weaving writing into student government; creating…

Discusses the use of the seminar approach in elementary classrooms. Makes practical suggestions for implementation and outlines areas in which teachers need administrative support. Includes an interview with a sixth-grade teacher who has been using the method for two years. (FMW)

Discusses teacher training in science available from local science museums for elementary school teachers. Includes a list of science museums offering instructional products and services. (FMW)

Describes the use of popular science fiction films in high school and college science courses. Holds that young persons' fascination with science fiction can serve as a takeoff point for serious discussion of principles of physics and biology, in particular. (GC)

An eighth grade English teacher in Great Neck (New York) integrated six LEP foreign students into her classroom by using a team approach for the memorization and recitation of the Gettysburg Address. The foreign students were enthusiastically coached by their peers; all profited from studying the language of the address. (DM)

Compares elementary mathematics instruction in Taiwan, Japan, Chicago, and Minneapolis. Finds that American teachers are overworked and devote less time to conducting lessons than Asian teachers, who employ proven inductive methods within the framework of standardized curricula. (DM)

Describes four mentoring programs: Atlanta's Project Success; and in Washington, D.C., Mentors Inc., the Community of Hope, and the Futures 500 Club. Most are school-based programs providing guidance and inspiration in a one-to-one relationship. The best programs also provide training for mentors. (DM)