Provides sample classroom exercises to develop middle school and high school youngsters' sensitivity to language skills, spelling, and grammar. Includes riddles, puns, puzzles, and other games drawn from J. Shipley's "Word Play." (JG)

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

This book offers integrated activities in which students explore words and, at the same time, develop their language arts and thinking skills. The book states that this way teachers can pay more attention to word study, without sacrificing other parts of the English curriculum and without resorting to word lists and memorization. In the first…

Presents three a three step technique for drama reading in the classroom: read the play silently, read the play orally, and read the play orally, acting it out with the script in hand. (RB)

Presents a rationale for teaching creative dramatics, including objectives, techniques, and activities. (RB)

Discusses proper procedures and mechanics for carrying out individualized instruction in the elementary classroom which will provide the children with a new view of their individual competencies. (RB)

This article explains the components of the reading box and trading program wherein each student creates an activity box based on books. The boxes contain books, comprehension folders, and games and activities for developing language arts, reading and thinking skills. (KC)

Suggestions are made for classroom activities to improve children's language skills. (JD)

A teacher of gifted and talented primary students discusses ways to approach the subject of death and dying. Five class activities are presented which are designed to encourage fluency, risk taking, curiosity, and imagination through language arts and art. (CL)

Presents an activity to connect language arts, social studies, and technology in a meaningful way while encouraging students not only to read for details but to "read between the lines" and draw conclusions about a historical figure's inner thoughts and personality. Notes that the biopoem is a simple 10-line poem with a specific, easy-to-follow…

Outlines the Cooperative Integrated Reading and Composition (CIRC) program, a sequenced and structured reading/language arts program used by elementary level students at Bracher School in Santa Clara, California. Describes several cooperative reading and writing activities used in this program. (MM)

Describes how high school students can give J. Alfred Prufrock (from T.S. Eliot's serious poem "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock") a "makeover" so he can acquire more self-confidence. Shows how this makeover exercise can lead students to a deeper general understanding and appreciation of complex literary characters and of a…

Describes how one high school English teacher uses puns on a regular basis to augment his vocabulary reviews. Argues that doing so aids in developing students' vocabulary, since it compels students to pay closer attention and gives many students a chance to display their creative-thinking skills. (SR)

Discusses issues related to young gay and lesbian students in high school English classes. Offers two examples of addressing gay issues in class, and discusses reading and writing around gay issues. Lists several strategies English teachers can use to reduce stereotyping and create an open environment for self-exploration and expression around…