Describes four prewriting techniques that elementary and middle grade students can use to gather and organize ideas for writing, and by so doing, cure writer's block. Techniques discussed are: (1) brainstorming; (2) clustering; (3) freewriting; and (4) cubing.

Discusses the development of the market for books for infants; presents reasons why even young infants can benefit from being read to; and provides guidelines for selection of appropriate books for babies. The guidelines include sturdiness and developmental appropriateness. A list of recommended books is appended. (SKC)

Demonstrates how the LOGO computer language's flexibility can be used to stimulate children's creativity, while its structured nature helps develop problem-solving skills. Stresses the use of exercises involving the transformation of simple patterns as a means of encouraging creativity. (SKC)

Considers how educational practices may be disintegrating children's development of a sense of a self that strives toward integrity and wholeness. Focuses on the current overemphasis on homogeneous grouping and IQ tests, the dullness of modern textbooks, and the lack of encouragement of critical thinking skills. (SKC)

Explains the benefits of pet ownership for young children. (SKC)

Points out the benefits of "sciencing"--helping children learn the methodology and processes of scientific investigation through the use of play experimentation. (SKC)

Examines the findings of effective schools research and reading research that support the view that (1) more time should be devoted to reading children's literature and (2) more than basal materials is necessary for effective instruction. Shows how teaching children's literature can improve teacher effectiveness. (SKC)

Identifies negative aspects of recent educational initiatives as they affect teachers, emphasizes resulting teacher "burnout," and offers suggestions for making teaching more exciting and effective. (Author/RH)

The family is a context in which young children can acquire a sense of purpose, dignity and worth, if ideas of individualism and privacy are tempered by a sense of community. The school, the parents' places of work and community institutions should be used as extensions of the family setting. (Author/RH)

Provides guidelines enabling teachers to meet their legal and moral obligation to report possible cases of child abuse and neglect. (Author/RH)

Describes how adults can use children's autobiographical photographs to understand the children's views of themselves and their relationships with persons, objects, and their environment. Includes an example of the use of auto-photography and nine photographs taken by Federico, a 12-year-old Mexican boy. (Author/RH)

Describes the process and outcomes of placing four disabled adults and one mother of a cerebral palsied child as teaching assistants in preschool, second- and fourth-grade classrooms in two California schools. Suggests that the employment of disabled persons in public education is an effective way of integrating special needs children into regular…

What part, if any, should momentous current events play in the curriculum? This article suggests that some events are so significant they impose themselves on the curriculum, that children need to discuss political events, and that teachers should be realistic, respectful, and reassuring in dealing with these matters. (Author/RH)

Advocates the use of classification activities in the elementary school curriculum as a means of developing thinking skills in children. Critical preclassification skills, classification activities (including simple and multiple classification), and classification tasks and materials are discussed. (Author/RH)

Advocates a sensory approach, involving care for plants and animals, to help children understand the nature of life and death. (Author/RH)