The Reading First Initiative supports the importance of classroom teachers' use of diagnostic tests that are "scientifically based." This article focuses on the new assessment known as DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills. DIBELS is composed of the following subtests: phonological awareness (recognizing initial sounds and…

Children and teachers in 750 kindness clubs (organized by the World Society for the Protection of Animals, WSPA) in 32 African countries are actively involved in coordinating rural animal clinics and participate in clinic activities including the treatment of these animals. This article discusses the benefits of child-animal relationships.…

Statistics indicate that many victims of fatalities from abuse are children of teenage parents. Profiles of typical abuse perpetrators match the characteristics of many students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) and place them at higher risk of acting impulsively and using violent and abusive behaviors. Teaching students parenting…

Well-meaning teachers are often unprepared for the influx of ESOL students in their classrooms. Most often, the programs serving ESOL students in public schools include immersion, submersion, and sheltered instruction. Occasionally, bilingual education programs are an option. Consequently, general education teachers are responsible for teaching…

Today, a plethora of Web sites and software packages are designed specifically for English language learners, and not only are most teacher candidates well-versed in how to use technology, they are likely familiar with numerous software programs that are appropriate to use with children. Although teacher candidates may be well-trained in how to…

Family homelessness has emerged as a serious global problem (Stronge, 2000). Over the past 25 years in the United States, the makeup of the homeless population has changed significantly. As De Angelis (1994) reports: The landscape of homelessness has changed since the early 1980s, when nearly all homeless people were men. Today,…

This article brings theory into practice and demonstrates clearly how to apply commonly accepted language acquisition theories to science lesson plans designed for native speakers of English. In the first section of the article, readers will learn not only how to apply theory to science lessons, but also, and more important, why to apply certain…

The amazing power to enchant students often is a defining hallmark of great teachers. Enchanting teachers, those who make learning exciting and attractive, are all around, and each is effective and inspiring in his or her own unique way. Wonderful teachers generally weave their magic behind closed doors, however, where only their students can…

Many, if not most, general education students will have interactions with a person with a disability at some time during their lives; they may become the parent of a special needs child; have a family member, neighbor, or co-worker with special needs; or at the very least, come in contact with people with disabilities in the community. This…

This teacher education program experimented with innovative methods for identifying potential technology teacher candidates, and with providing training methods that take advantage of candidate's existing technological expertise and experience. In this article, the authors call attention to the shortage of technology education teachers, provide a…

For experienced teachers and teacher educators, reflective thinking has become "second nature," an automatic response or a disposition (Katz, 1993). Teacher educators are searching for ways to facilitate the development of reflective thinking with teacher candidates. This article discusses scaffolding, which helps teacher candidates think…

Many schools throughout the United States have mandated some form of character education, peace education, or conflict resolution. The Peace Education Network hopes to encourage an exchange of ideas about what schools and teachers are doing that works and doesn't work. An article in The Washington Post (Kalita, 2003) describing a newly adopted…

Most teachers send work home with their students, expecting it to be done the next day. Parents, or other adults in the household, often dread this activity because they may hot understand the goal, directions, or how to help the student. No one--whether family member, teacher, or student--will benefit from such a situation. Homework can turn into…

For decades, the author Jonathon Kozol has been working to highlight the inequalities in the U.S. public school system. He has made an immense difference in the lives of countless children living in poverty. The power with which he writes is something to be honored and revered. With simple words, Kozol finds a way to forge emotional connections…

Ultimately, teacher educators are responsible to two groups of students--those in their classes and the children the education students will teach. A teacher educator's goal should be to provide an experience that will encourage classroom teachers to go back to their classes and make a positive difference in the education of their students.…