When educators consciously integrate the arts and education, the benefits are magnified. Kinesthetic learning has wide-ranging applications, such as interpreting a concept through physical means to increase comprehension, exploring literature themes and feelings through creative movement, exploring the universality and particularity of human…

States that in education journal articles it is apparent that "multicultural" is the new buzz word. Argues that while multicultural awareness is important, the surface treatment of the issue of diversity in America may obscure the more serious problems that minority groups face. Concludes that with effort, schools can be transformed into…

Describes how educators at one Navajo community school are transforming assumptions about schooling for indigenous groups from a deficit model to one that views bilingualism, biculturalism, and multiculturalism as assets to be tapped. Bases the discussion on a long-term ethnographic study of the changes brought about through the implementation of…

Presents reviews of eight professional resources for those interested in multicultural children's literature or in instruction and research in classrooms with students of diverse backgrounds. (RS)

Examines an initiative to introduce a multicultural- and whole-language-based early childhood curriculum in a private school in New Delhi, India. Considers the planning of the change from traditional education; the creation of an activity room for free play; parental responses to the new program; and factors that facilitated the change process.…

This book uses a child-initiated, whole language approach to help children have fun while exploring the world of science. The activities are divided into 23 units. Each unit begins with an "Attention Getter," the purpose of which is to introduce the unit to children in a way that grabs their attention, stimulates their interest, and creates…

This document consists of three books in one. The first book is a reproducible book for students titled "Tiggy and Me and Butterfly, Too!" about traveling around the world. The second book, for the teacher, includes a guide to teaching the student's book and a comprehensive whole language, multicultural, multidisciplinary resource book. The third…

Originally presented at the second annual Whole Language Umbrella Conference, the 18 essays in this book address the three related themes of identity, responsibility, and practice. The essays in the book discuss how whole language is defined, and how its practitioners come to define themselves; how whole language teachers act upon their identities…

Offering multicultural courses in higher education does not address the underlying problems of illiteracy, know-nothingness, and xenophobia. A better approach is, as in the whole-language approach, to teach the whole student as an individual shaped by his society. Teachers are in the best position to facilitate connections among culturally diverse…

Suggests that whole language is alive and well in Israel, and that like many countries trying to educate multiethnic, multilingual populations, there is a strong interest in whole language as a democratic, innovative pedagogy built on scientific foundations. Notes the Ministry of Education encourages whole language approaches, but the teachers'…

Demonstrates ways in which three students in a multi-age, literature-based grade 3/4 classroom constructed and reconstructed their subjectivities based on demands of the social setting. Notes that each student's participation was influenced by gender, social class, ethnicity, and the task. Suggests that interpretations of students' interactions…

This book, part of the Whole Language Umbrella Series, offers a critical reexamination of "inquiry" and "whole language" as tools for rethinking literacy, schooling, and humanistic citizenship in the complexities of today's multicultural world. The essays in the book explore the political implications of literacy theories and…

Explains how whole language classes differ from traditional developmental classes and illustrates how both African American and Caucasian students benefit from a whole language approach. Makes a case for the importance of using African American literature as well as other literature. Describes reading and writing assignments. (TB)

Discussing issues involved in the successful teaching of literature, this book presents essays that explore recent findings from research concerned with the teaching of literature in contemporary K-12 classrooms. The book is organized by age, special population, and special issues. Essays in the book address such issues as ability grouping,…

The whole language approach offers many opportunities for enhancing and effectively using multicultural literature in diverse settings. Recently many English teachers have been away from the traditional canon and including in their reading lists literature by writers who represent various ethnic and cultural groups. However, censorship has become…