Classroom Cool

Design Aesthetics. Appearances do make a difference, say experts who study the connection between classroom environment and academics. Learn their tips for making classrooms—and minds—brighter inclusive schools

Power Tools

Inclusive Schools. Thanks to a host of assistive technologies and dedicated educators, students with special needs are keeping pace in regular classrooms.

Teaching Tolerance

Safe Schools. Kids harassed for "being gay" miss school days and get lower grades, but activist Kevin Jennings is working to create safe learning environments for all children, and that starts with teaching respect.

Should teachers let failing students pass by doing an "extra credit" assignment? Yes. Julie Barlow says "In life, we must hope that someone will cut us some slack, not all the time, but once in a while when we are really desperate." No. Dana Camp says "The students who ask me for extra credit usually are those who didn't work or perform during the grading period." Read more of their rationales or cast your vote. Yes    No

Results from the previous poll Is retention better than social promotion for students? 76% Yes      24% No

Spotlight

Teaching 9/11. How do you teach about the tragic events of September 11? Two educators developed award-winning curricula that go beyond the terror to explore America's place in the world.

ESP

'S' is for Stuff They Know. As school bus drivers gear up to earn a new credential for their jobs, NEA steps forward with a new video and training package to help them prepare.

Health & Fitness

Get Your Brain in Shape. Want to be smarter by September? Then create your own personal summer school with these tips to tone up flabby memory and add speed and agility to your cognitive skills. 

Bulletin Board

Western Lit. Some of your colleagues saddle up for ideas on teaching the literature from the Old West, while others share the worst mistakes they've seen in textbooks.

People

Extreme Teaching. Globe-trotting science teacher Bev Schaake takes students for lessons in the Amazon rain forest. In California, middle school teacher Tom Lamb practices the extreme sport of downhill mountain biking.

Last Bell

Get Real. If educators want to motivate students they need to show kids that what they teach is relevant to the world outside, says electronics teacher David Peins.

Editor's Note

President's Viewpoint

UpFront

A new push by President Bush to help high schools means more testing for students.

Leading the Way

State Report

Resources

Mr. Kalapaca?

Photo: Comstock Images

I was hired last minute to teach a kindergarten class that had originally been assigned to my teaching partner, Mr. Kalapaca. Mr. Kalapaca had sent a card to each family introducing himself as the teacher for their child. So, on the first day of school, in comes little Juan. He walks up to me, shakes my hand, and says in his formal voice: "Hello Mr. Kalapaca," proud that he had memorized his teacher's name, but not realizing that because I am Ms. Greene, I couldn't possibly be Mr. Kalapaca. This is my first year of teaching, and I will always remember Juan!

—Jerri Ellen Greene
Kindergarten Teacher
Rialto, California

Have a funny school story you'd like to share?
Send it to neatoday@nea.org.