Utilizing a New Literacies Studies framework, this article presents critical lessons in film production from a multiple site case study. Examples of children's classroom experiences demonstrate how filmmaking and play come together in a process of storying--a collaborative and multimodal approach to text composition. Students in both preschool and…

The controversial and complicated nature of the "N" word is examined in a multicultural classroom project. Utilizing both old and new literature, pop culture, historical lenses, and contemporary interpretations, the word proves extremely relevant in today's language arts classroom. By examining students' perceptions and experiences as well as the…

Recounts a classroom visit by children's poet and illustrator Karla Kuskin, and the flurry of activity and preparation that preceded her visit. (HTH)

Examines the who, what, where, how, and why of informal drama instruction in the classroom, arguing that, given the current emphasis on "basics" in education, such instruction can provide one of the most basic educational experiences in language arts. (HTH)

Describes how a purposeful, creative use of show and tell can help develop students' speaking, listening, and thinking skills. (DD)

Defines and discusses the concepts of empowerment and motivation, and clarifies the relationship between them. Shows how language arts teachers can take advantage of both in developing more effective classroom practices. Gives examples of motivationally sound practices from the domain of writing instruction that might also be construed as examples…

Describes how a teacher and her grades one through three children made poetry come alive and serve as an authentic part of their lives. Describes the factors underlying authentic classroom instruction, and notes how poetry moved out from lessons and even school time to become something that will continue to be with many of these children…

Describes four-year-olds' fantasy play, and how their language manifests their imaginations, moods, and personal fears. (HTH)

Offers half a dozen methods for "publishing" or sharing students' written work. These include reader's theatre for students' poetry, medieval manuscript illumination, and computer graphics. (HTH)

Discusses approaches for helping upper elementary-age children learn about words through integrated study of spelling, grammar, and meaning. Describes what word study is, discusses word study in an integrated language arts unit (providing several examples), and offers reasons for including word study in a language arts program. (SR)

Notes important distinctions between "hands-on" experiences and "first-hand" experiences. Argues that teachers need to consider the kinds of learning that books, hands-on experiences, and first-hand experiences provide for students, and the roles they play in the creation of curriculum. (SR)

Describes how students set up a database or collection of favorite poems on the classroom computer. (HTH)

Discusses the kinds of things teachers can learn from children if they allow their students the freedom to use their language and their imaginations creatively. (HTH)

Brief essays discuss (1) a teacher's discovery of the difficulty of the writing process, (2) various methods of writing instruction that are still only a part of the whole, (3) the difference between children's writing at home and at school, (4) a method for teaching poetry, and (5) a fifth-grade book writing project for first-grade students. (HTH)

Describes the steps taken by a fourth grade teacher and her students which resulted in the publication of a guidebook to metropolitan Denver. (DD)