This paper presents theoretical principles of the whole language approach and its historical interdisciplinary influences. Suggestions for implementing whole language intervention with language-disordered children are presented, such as using theme building to achieve long- and short-term objectives, using scaffolding strategies, and using…

Outlines a descriptive (not prescriptive) approach for the creation of a literature-based reading curriculum. Describes the 4 steps (behaving with basals, redefining reading, revving up for reading, and letting literature loose) that took the author 14 years of teaching to complete. Argues that literature-based reading programs are fun, enjoyable,…

Describes whole language reading workshops used in eighth grade classrooms. Notes that workshops consist of three components: time to read, ownership through self-selection, and opportunities to respond to the reading through dialogue journals. (MG)

Discusses how teachers can begin to create contexts in which reading excites children and links them effectively with books in a variety of genres. Argues that literature is a vehicle for creating contexts to facilitate intellectual growth and critical thinking. (RS)

An elementary teacher who completed her preservice fieldwork with Hawaii's PETOM (Preservice Education for Teaching of Minorities) program discusses the experimental process she uses to teach students to read and to love reading. By presenting her diary, the article highlights her whole-language approach to teaching a love of reading. (SM)

Describes the Star Project in which each student was allowed to select a topic in any area of interest and then to create a project around that topic. Students selected mentors (often parents) to monitor and encourage their progress. The article describes the project's successes and failures. (SM)

Presents ideas on integrating science fiction into language arts, science, social studies, and math. Suggestions include an interstellar journey, imaginative language lessons, futuristic social studies, extraterrestrial life studies, intergalactic math, and science fiction story writing. (SM)

Presents an excerpt from the journal of a second grade teacher who reflected on the daily challenges and possibilities of learning in a child-centered, meaning-based classroom free of workbooks and standardized testing; an interview with author Nancie Atwell, a language specialist and veteran teacher; and suggestions for books and journals. (SM)

Describes a former superintendent's disconcerting swim in the teacher candidate pool while trying to find a teaching position without "pulling strings." After landing a job teaching 36 fifth graders, he soon realized that espousing methodologies is very different from actually doing them. Allowing students more responsibility for their learning…

The whole-language approach to reading interrelates different language arts and uses children's experience as the basis for reading materials. The Success Language Arts program promotes growth of knowledge in various academic disciplines while developing students' reading and writing abilities. The program eliminates basal readers and allows…

Summarizes 10 documents and 9 journal articles recently added to the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) database. Among topics covered are relationship of health to school performance, community-based child development in Nepal, whole-language approach workshops, conference proceedings, science instruction, job satisfaction, day care…

Compared students' acquisition and use of reading strategies and reading attitudes in skills-based and whole-language settings. Participants were low-income first graders. Students completed a common reading task. Researchers coded literacy strategies for self-correction and substitutions and conducted classroom observations. Children in the…

Study examined the content and form of elementary students' discussions in cooperative groups. Researchers recorded group discussions during whole language literacy instruction. Across classrooms, much verbal interaction was oriented toward academic and procedural talk, although the cognitive level of the discussions was low. Some grade level and…

Examines the perception and beliefs of Chinese English-as-a-Foreign-Language (EFL) teachers toward the debate between on the whole language and direct approach in the teaching of EFL in China. Findings shed light on English instruction in China and provide a better understanding of the educational background of the large number of Chinese students…

This article reviews the evidence for balanced literacy instruction in the elementary years. The case is made that the balanced instructional model is particularly appropriate and beneficial for students who have initial difficulties in learning to read and write. Key features of successful reading instruction programs are described. (Contains…