Examines teacher collaboration, collaborative arrangements, and the tools necessary for successful collaboration, as they relate to school reform. Suggests that teachers in all grade levels and disciplines need to work cooperatively with colleagues and representatives from other professional disciplines to address the public's demands for…

Discusses the role of friendships in children's development. Examines the meaning of the term friendship; the roots of friendship development; the role of parents, teachers, and siblings; and concerns about children's choices. Suggests that positive attitudes, when established early in life, can affect physical and mental health and the quality of…

Recounts the story of a fifth grader who decides he wants to be returned to the fourth grade. Describes parental reaction and actions of parents and school administration to determine best placement. Describes the child's satisfaction, personal adjustment, and academic success three years after decision to repeat part of fourth grade. (KB)

Identifies least desirable situations for children's television viewing. Details guidelines for family viewing, including previewing programs and viewing together. Discusses ways to use the viewing experience to create interests and dialog, such as discussing and evaluating programs. Describes alternatives to television viewing, including…

Presents abstracts for 10 recent ERIC documents and 13 journal articles on the topic of bullying in school, focusing on the incidence of bullying and strategies to address bullying. Delineates resources available on the World Wide Web. (KB)

Describes the significance of culture in infant care. Questions the universality of child development theory and research findings. Discusses cultural issues related to sleeping routines, including co-sleeping arrangements, the role of cultural elders or expert specialists, consequences of co-sleeping, and using an evolutionary, cross-cultural,…

Studied the impact of massage three times per week on infants' adjustment to a group care setting. Subjects were infants from at-risk Chilean homes who displayed negative emotional behaviors. Found that massaged infants showed less repetitive crying, more tranquil sleep and muscular relaxation, better social adjustment, and improved feeding…

Examines the interrelationships between young children's literacy growth and music development. Discusses five ways in which song picture books promote language growth. Suggests early childhood activities and materials for using song picture books as a resource for an integrated, developmentally appropriate curriculum. (Author/KB)

Suggests that banning superhero play is not most effective means of dealing with children's exposure to inappropriate television. Maintains that valid data on possible increases in classroom superhero play are not available, superhero play may fulfill some developmental functions, and superhero play may provide an opportunity to teach about values…

Discusses challenges to adolescent mothers, adolescent fathers, and the young children of teenage parents. Describes recommended practices used in the Summer Training and Education Program, a life skills program; Between Us Sisters Starting To Operate Efficiently, a residential program; and the Developmental Training and Support Program, a staff…

Presents the use of children's literature to teach mathematics, encouraging children to identify, discuss, and extend "math morals" of the stories. Provides examples of using literature and classroom activities to identify principles regarding incomplete information, the need for standard units, commutative operations, and the rapidity of…

Reviews research in the area of interdisciplinary team work at the middle school level. Suggests that the benefits of interdisciplinary teaming are clear--evidence abounds suggesting that teaming results in higher achievement in math, reading and language arts skills. Furthermore, these skills are developed more effectively across a wide range of…

Highlights selected recent ERIC documents that discuss aspects of program and school effectiveness in middle level education. Provides citations on eight books and five journal articles with abstracts and ordering information. (AA)

Discusses the need for reform at the middle school educational level. Suggests that middle schools should create an environment that reflects and responds to young adolescents' needs and developmental level. Effective middle school teachers must adopt new modes of teaching as they face the challenges and opportunities presented by changing…

Presents an interview with Dr. John H. Lounsbury, Dean Emeritus at Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, and publications editor for the National Middle School Association. Issues discussed include changes in young adolescents' education; the influence of societal changes, educational reform, and technological development in the…