During a 10-week classroom-based study, 20 fourth grade students participated in a number of interdependent activities that focused on developing their visual meaning-making skills and competencies. As well as reading, responding in writing to and discussing a selection of picturebooks, graphic novels, and magazines, the students created graphic…

Recommends a photo essay project as a catalyst for accelerated language learning and as a method of integrating mainstream students into a regular class activity. Divides the project into three stages: a planning stage, an acting out and picture taking stage, and a caption writing stage. (AEA)

The readings and activities in this competency unit focus the attention of language arts program advisers and primary grade teachers on language instruction/development that is student-centered instead of program-centered. The first section of the unit shows teachers how to clarify their expectations and objectives concerning language instruction…

Explains how picture books can be used to enrich and develop language skills at the middle school and junior high school level. (MM)

This 34-item annotated bibliography examines the literature concerning language experience in the following areas: (1) the rationale for incorporating language arts in the primary classroom; (2) whether using language experience aids the child in developing reading strategies; (3) the achievement scores of children using language experience; (4)…

The discussion and activities in this booklet are designed to "tune in" language arts teachers to children's language so that they appreciate and respond properly to student language development. Chapter topics include responding to authentic/inauthentic child language, keeping records of children's spontaneous language and relating the words to…

Having students work together to write a historical novel is one way to integrate language arts and social studies. A step-by-step approach to completing such a writing project includes reading to get ready, brainstorming, developing a plot, adding descriptive detail, writing and revising, and final editing and typing. (SM)

The language experience approach (LEA) has been used successfully with students who are beginning to read in English as a second language. In an LEA lesson the teacher can elicit students' comments on a wordless picture book, transcribe students' sentences, read the resultant story aloud (or have the class read it), and have the story copied.…

WHEN CHILDREN ENTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, THEY POSSESS A LANGUAGE SYSTEM WHICH HAS BEEN INTUITED FROM WHAT THEY HEAR AND WHICH CAN PRODUCE FOR THEM AN INFINITE NUMBER OF SENTENCES REFLECTING EITHER STANDARD OR NONSTANDARD DIALECTS OF ENGLISH. THE ELEMENTARY TEACHER CAN EQUIP THOSE WHO SPEAK A DIVERGENT ENGLISH DIALECT WITH ANOTHER, MORE SOCIALLY…

Describes a project in which an inquiry approach to learning and teaching in an urban first-grade classroom resulted in a student-created database. Illustrates how computer integration in reading/language arts instruction caused students to participate more in group inquiry, using their individual abilities to contribute to group projects; it also…

To prevent children with reading difficulties from thinking of themselves as failures, academic experiences must include projects that will motivate them to be responsible learners, enhance their self-concept, and reinforce all the language arts skills. One class of sixth grade students with reading disabilities made minibooks from greeting cards…

This book describes, in detail, practical ways to develop an open, individualized and child-centered classroom by using learning or interest centers. Consideration is given to the initial planning of learning centers, and sections discuss various kinds and uses of learning centers for the primary and intermediate grades. Topics discussed include…

Intended for elementary school teachers and supervisors, this collection of articles focuses on creating meaningful learning through an integrated language arts approach. Divided into three sections, the articles discuss the theoretical and practical frameworks that support program integration; examine real programs, tested procedures, and actual…