Creative writing should be a spontaneous experience in which primary-age children are free to express their ideas in their own unique ways, unhampered by having to conform to "correct" standards. (NQ)

Suggests ways that speaking and listening, reading and writing can be brought together in the learner's mind. (DD)

Urges the conscious study of personal and professional gestures in elementary school so that children can become fully effective communicators and interpreters of communication. (DD)

Describes how a purposeful, creative use of show and tell can help develop students' speaking, listening, and thinking skills. (DD)

Attacks the theory that there is a hierarchy of language skills wherein the learner starts with the simplest elements and builds to the complex. (DD)

A monthly exchange of tips, projects, ideas and resources. (Editor)

Reviews trends in the types of research submitted to receive the National Council of Teachers of English Promising Researcher Award. (DD)

Presents an in-depth interview with Ken and Yetta Goodman, awarded the second National Council of Teachers of English award for outstanding educator in the language arts. (SR)

Reviews "Learning from the Market: Integrating 'The Stock Market Game' across the Curriculum" guide for teachers in grades 4 to 12. Believes the guide suffers from errors of fact and omission. Suggests corrections and alternative activities that enable instructors to continue to use the material. (JEH)

Describes how a group of third-grade teachers engaged in meaningful and useful curriculum development in the language arts, starting with a belief statement, and moving to program outcomes, integrated topics, specific objectives, and student exhibitions and portfolios. (SR)

Describes a high school English teacher's community outreach program and its "outsider in society" theme. The teacher matched reading assignments to appropriate community service ventures, ranging from puppet shows to public speaking engagements and work with Alzheimer's patients. Community interactions inspired students to polish and practice…

Describes a "literary gift exchange" in which students buy or make gifts for other students' favorite literary characters and explain to the class why the gifts are appropriate. Argues that the gift exchange is a good way to end the school year and review the literature studied. (RS)

Reviews four professional references and two books for instructional materials to help teachers use stories more effectively in the classroom. (MG)

Reviews professional references and instructional materials that focus on language arts instruction. (MM)

Describes and evaluates three software programs for elementary level language arts: (1) "The Princess and the Pea," which connects the fairy tale with the modern world; (2) "PreWrite, Level 1," which helps students identify and develop writing topics; and (3) "Dinosaur Days," a creative graphics and publishing program with speech capabilities. (MM)