Describes a year spent teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) in the elementary classroom using a whole-language approach in a nonthreatening environment with lots of writing and student ownership of text. (SR)

Presents instructional strategies that integrate syntax instruction with literacy instruction, while maintaining the integrity of language and the literacy process. Discusses using authentic texts and keeping the literacy process whole, manipulating sentence structures in context, and revising linguistic priorities. (SR)

This bibliography lists 106 items of children's literature suitable for use in a whole language classroom. The bibliography is divided into 15 sections, including alphabet books; rhythm, rhyme, and song; science and health; inventions and cures; mystery; fairy tales and folk tales; Native Americans; fun with language; math; friends; jokes and…

One way to give students the most comprehensive reading instruction is to combine techniques from three approaches to reading: literature based reading instruction, the whole language strategy, and the use of basal readers. Lesson plans and student activities which demonstrate this combined approach are presented. (IAH)

Presents writing warm-up activities to help elementary students develop and polish their language skills. The warm-up activities focus on detail, descriptive dialog, memory writing, titles, punctuation, and vocabulary enhancement. The activities provide choices, present important ideas, and foster collaboration, responsibility, and trial and error…

Presents annotations of 30 notable children's books in all genres (published in 1996). Includes suggestions of experiences, activities, and related literature for each work of literature. (RS)

Based on the belief that teacher educators can no longer be satisfied to teach about whole language without teaching through whole language, this article presents five major premises of whole language and then describes several strategies by which this philosophy has been implemented in university classrooms. The premises are that learning happens…

Explains how elementary teachers can help students understand onomatopoeia, suggesting that they define onomatopoeia, share examples of it, read poems and have students discuss onomatopoeic words, act out common household sounds, write about sound effects, and create choral readings of onomatopoeic poems. Two appropriate poems are included. (SM)

Clarifying the place of phonics and spelling in a whole language program, this book presents classroom-tested strategies, models, and activities to help students make graphophonic connections, giving them the tools they need to become confident, lifelong readers and writers. Chapters in the book are: (1) Phonics and Spelling in Perspective; (2)…

Class collaboration and small group composition illustrate the embedding of cooperative learning theory in whole language classroom events. Through this experience all students participate in active learning. The teacher has a weighty role in decision making, setting of the lesson, assigning roles, and monitoring segments of cooperative learning…

Describes one educator's whole-language approach to elementary school reading. Her class activities focus on books and friends during February to help celebrate Valentine's day. Two student pages offer friendship-oriented student activities. (SM)

Experienced whole language teachers have developed a number of practical strategies that can and should be used to facilitate the development of "graphophonic knowledge" in their students' literacy learning. Graphophonic knowledge is defined as the combination of the sound system (phonology), the graphic system (orthography), and how…

With the current emphasis on whole language, the use of children's literature as the basis for reading instruction is widespread. Theme units have been suggested as one way to provide stimulating opportunities for children to explore and learn. Whole language based literature theme units emphasize process more than product. Units are designed to…

Discusses Guam's unique multicultural student and teacher population. Describes two classroom language arts activities (the method of taped repeated reading and "write around") that have met with success and continue to gain momentum in Guam's classrooms. (RS)

This book employs a whole language-critical thinking approach to teaching reading, writing, listening, speaking, and thinking using Caldecott books (with their story-enhancing illustrations) as the literature base. The book uses 15 Caldecott books to model specific instructional strategies, critical thinking strategies, and extended language…