Based on the idea that children can learn to write letters to friends and relatives as soon as they learn to write words, this visually oriented pamphlet presents practical classroom activities that primary grade teachers can use to encourage their young students to practice letter writing skills. The pamphlet contains instructions for making a…

A small-scale collaboration between members of a school of education and a public school district (involving some reading/language arts faculty and students from the University of Texas on the one hand and the curriculum director, volunteer reading teachers, media specialists, and elementary teachers in a school district in San Antonio, Texas on…

Every dedicated educator should take the time to integrate the computer into the learning program of his or her classroom. Although studies have reported no significant differences in the achievement of word processing students, teachers using word processing in their classrooms are all enthusiastic about the results, especially regarding…

The four Special Emphasis Elementary Schools in the Corpus Christi Independent School District have markedly increased students' achievement, particularly in reading and language arts. This study was conducted to determine the perceived impact of the Special Emphasis (SE) components and to aid in the implementation of future SE schools. The…

This investigation of the effect of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) on the performance of elementary students in the area of language arts skills compared the performance of students receiving CAI with that of students receiving only regular classroom instruction. Two software programs were created for use in the study. Word Breaker, designed…

The relationship between reading and writing, a subset of curriculum integration, involves an expanding knowledge of how connections across the language arts work and how they can be applied in everyday learning. Various theories have been postulated to explain the reading/writing connection. To enable children to make these connections, teachers…

Much is being written about children's learning styles and using computers to accommodate student variability. Although the computer can support instruction for various learning styles, its use in the classroom should be in the best interests of all children, each of whom may be affected by physical, emotional, sociological, and environmental…

In response to the New York State Board of Regents Action Plan relating to computer keyboarding skills, this guide is designed to help elementary school staff understand aspects of keyboarding and develop this important basic skill in their students. The three-part presentation begins with a discussion of the benefits of using computers in English…

By integrating the language arts across the curriculum, teachers and librarians can help students make connections between what they already know and new material. Teachers committed to this approach need to spend time planning, executing, and evaluating the process and to bring the following essential components to the classroom: (1) love and…

Before working with middle school gifted students, the teacher should be aware of the characteristics and learning style preferences of these students. For example, the years from 9 to 13 are a time of physical, social, emotional, and cognitive change--also called an "age of ambivalence." Many of these students tackle decision making sooner and…

The teaching activities presented in this pamphlet present some ways of helping children acquire a few "mechanisms" to support exploration, growth, and search in language learning and, more specifically, in spelling awareness. The pamphlet begins with a discussion of the context for learning strategies to use in exploring language. Then…

Because of recent shifts in understanding the nature of knowledge and the process of learning, there may be major and long-lasting changes in the nature of educational research and its role for educators. Since most people understand through the use of metaphor, a metaphor that previously fostered the understanding of research is the assembly line…

This booklet was developed to provide Honolulu (Hawaii) students with an activity-oriented opportunity to learn more about water and water conservation. It contains inquiry-based games, puzzles, and activities dealing with: (1) how we use water; (2) where water comes from; (3) surface water; (4) groundwater; (5) population growth and its effect on…

Because language arts processes and related skills depend on thinking processes, teachers should know, use, and guide creative problem-solving processes in their language arts class. Creative problem solving involves a balance of divergent and convergent thought, reflected in the processes of creative and critical thinking. Divergent, or creative,…

The Lafayette Parish Compensatory/Remedial Program for 1985-86 involved remedial teachers in 31 schools serving 1,022 students in grades 2 through 6 who had previously failed the state Basic Skills Test (BST). A minimum of 70 hours instruction was provided to the children in the area(s) in which each was deficient. Focus was on assessing the…