Explains how to set the stage for cooperative learning in primary classrooms. One article describes how to achieve classroom cooperation using developmentally appropriate planning; the other discusses class activities that can spark a collaborative spirit (e.g., cooperative murals and book discussions). (SM)

The article presents strategies used by elementary teachers from around the country to promote mathematics learning in the classroom. Their ideas include using manipulatives, participating in cooperative learning, keeping math journals, collecting portfolios, and reading literature that relates to math concepts in real life. (SM)

Elementary and secondary school teachers explain how they get the most out of their computer labs. Ideas including conferencing with the school's computer teacher, developing a new system for disks, planning a practice project to reinforce basic skills, setting up computer competency training, and supporting the curriculum. (SM)

Seventy-one ideas for learning activities in the elementary school classroom are described. Activities are included in the areas of fine arts, mathematics, language arts, history, writing, listening skills, and science. (CJ)

Individual and classroom learning activities that involve "no-cook cookery" (cooking without heat) and that teach concepts in the areas of science, mathematics, social studies, language arts, visual arts, and botany are described. (CJ)

Children learn best when given opportunities to connect facts and figures with real-world situations. The article describes two class projects that demonstrate authentic, holistic learning. One project involves planting a classroom garden, and the other explores the desert of the Southwest. (SM)

This article outlines the steps in an art activity on the elements of landscapes and touches on the topic of perspective. In the activity students create three-dimensional secret gardens of their own out of construction paper. The activity is based on Claude Monet's painting and his garden in Giverny (Normandy, France). (SM)

"Teachers Express" (formerly titled "Bright Ideas") is a regular feature carried by the "Instructor" magazine and is designed for the in-a-hurry elementary classroom teacher who likes to stash a few good ideas away before an occasion demands one. These quick tips submitted by teachers are intended to spark interest,…

Ideas are presented for the creation of various puppets which can be used to teach different topics in the elementary school classroom. A song and ideas for stages for puppet shows and a "puppet corner" are also included. (CJ)

A children's book author describes how to help students blend bookmaking techniques and the writing process to create a classroom hardback library full of unique publications. The project requires inexpensive, easily accessible materials and results in impressive finished products. (SM)

Described are 16 rainy day activities which can be played in the classroom or adapted to the outdoors when the rain clears. The material for this article was taken from the book "Galaxy of Games, Stunts, and Activities for Elementary Physical Education." (KC)

Presents activities on the science of garbage to help elementary students learn to save the earth. A rotting experiment teaches students what happens to apple slices sealed in plastic or buried in damp soil. Other activities include reading stories on the subject and conducting classroom composting or toxic materials projects. (SM)

This article (1) provides a review of "Anno's Counting House," a wordless picture-story and game that engages children in thinking about numbers; and (2) examines a classroom activity from which children learn that the same data, graphed differently, may support a variety of conclusions. (GLR)

Presents suggestions for bringing reading and writing to life in the classroom and helping students develop a lifelong love of both. Includes creating a refrigerator door for displaying student work, using digital notebooks, establishing a publishing center, holding lunch-bunch meetings, binding students' writing into class collections, reading…

This primary unit uses rainbows to provide young children inspiration for learning in the areas of language arts, science, art, social studies, and math. (MT)