Notes that finding time for skills instruction without replacing literature discussion and writers' workshop requires a strong organizational framework for literacy instruction. Suggests that teachers need principled, conceptual frameworks to guide their thoughts and actions. Describes a framework, Book Club Plus, designed by a practitioner…

The Reading Challenge project was designed to help students make the transition from picture books to reading and choosing age-appropriate chapter books for recreational reading. This project was conducted throughout the school year with students rotating through different chapter books, usually completing 2 books and related activities each…

Encourages educators to use participation projects to develop active, socially concerned citizens. Views school as a place where students learn to negotiate problems and issues of society. Provides examples of projects where students and teachers plan integrated units using social studies as the basis for teaching. (NL)

An experienced third-grade teacher at an elementary school whose students were predominantly Hispanic designed and implemented a practicum in her class of academically above-average students with a low level of verbal participation in class. The target group of 25 students was involved in social studies, science, and expressive language activities…