Describes a kindergarten class project in which five-year-old children became community helpers by producing joke books and distributing these joke books to waiting rooms of medical facilities to be used by child patients. (BB)

Suggests ideas for using song lyrics as the basis for both literacy activities and for learning experiences that integrate language with other curricular areas. Describes a thematic unit for first graders that follows the procedures for using song picture books that are outlined in the article. (BB)

Describes the development and implementation of EL Paso Community College's model Intergenerational Literacy Project, which brings Spanish-speaking parents and their children together in the classroom in an effort to improve the two groups' literacy skills in English and Spanish. (BB)

An extended-school program for at-risk first graders was designed to accelerate each child's progress in reading and writing over the summer. The instructional framework for the class consisted of independent reading, shared reading, interactive writing, journal writing, a spelling activity, learning centers, guided reading, and reading aloud.…