Presented are several word and sentence puzzles, both simple and complex, for student use. All involve various-shaped grids made up of squares for letter or word fill-ins. (Author/SJL)

Explores the philosophy behind Haiku and discusses 11 characteristics basic to this form of poetry to help teachers better understand it. (HTH)

Recounts a classroom visit by children's poet and illustrator Karla Kuskin, and the flurry of activity and preparation that preceded her visit. (HTH)

Suggests three attitudes that teachers should cultivate to become good storytellers: awareness of the importance of telling stories, commitment to learning how to tell a favorite story, and respect for the listeners' rights to interpret the story for themselves. (AEA)

Reports on ERIC documents that review research on spelling and that suggest practical activities for spelling instruction. (HOD)

Examines professional concerns related to improving children's knowledge of language, determining what knowledge children bring to a learning environment, and promoting children's joy of learning. (RL)

Explains how classroom cookery can be used in the elementary school language arts program. Emphasizes ways it can improve reading skills and provides a listing of cookbooks for children. (FL)

The use of creative dramatics in the elementary school classroom for developing in students awareness of the world around them is discussed in this interview with Brian Way, a noted contributor in the field of drama and children's theatre. (HTH)

Reports on observations of classrooms serving Native American students and offers conclusions concerning the type of classroom setting and language arts program most likely to optimize the linguistic development of the students. (DD)

An examination of the writing of an elementary school student shows how students' revisions in their papers and complete rewrites of them are indications of their writing development. (DD)

Encourages the use of dramatization as a way of building vocabulary by showing the meanings of words in the context of experiences associated with them. (DD)

Discusses problems with oral reading, recommends standards to guide the selection of oral reading materials, and suggests nine directions to children to guide their rehearsal for oral reading. (DD)

A fictional account used to demonstrate the importance of making reading interesting and meaningful to children. (DD)

An interview with Michael Stubbs, lecturer in linguistics at the University of Nottingham, regarding the sociolinguistics of the classroom. (DD)

Many students and teachers find creative writing to be too complex to manage. Teachers are unable to identify ways to help students develop necessary skills through creative writing. Teachers can make writing manageable by giving children opportunities that isolate, compartmentalize, and focus on specific aspects of the writer's craft. (Author/NQ)