This publication lists basic skills curriculum objectives for kindergarten through eighth grade in the schools of the Addison-Rutland Supervisory Union in Fair Haven, Vermont. Objectives concern language arts, reading, mathematics, science, and social studies instruction. Kindergarten objectives for general skills, physical growth, motor skills,…

This curriculum guide describes the language arts portion of the Occupational Entrance Course, a course designed for junior and senior high school-aged students who have not functioned successfully in the traditional academic setting. The guide outlines a curriculum which focuses on developing students' receptive and expressive communication…

This report presents information about the effectiveness of the District of Columbia's Gifted and Talented Education Program. Primary objectives included: information dissemination about the program within the school system and the community; continued above average academic performance and creativity of participating students and their…

Pragmatic epistemology of focal teacher thinking appears tightly shaped by modular connections between task domains and pragmatic organizers. Discussions with a group of language teachers identified four domains of tasks: (1) oral activities; (2) writing activities; (3) reading activities; and (4) language technique activities (grammar, spelling).…

Because so many elementary schools are employing whole language instruction, it is essential that graduates from university elementary education programs be prepared to teach in this way. Twenty-five junior and senior elementary education majors enrolled in a block program of 3 courses: reading methods, language arts methods, and a field practicum…

This newsletter issue focuses entirely on classroom instruction in adult basic education (ABE) and English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) programs. The first article, "Whole Language and Adult Literacy Education" (Kazemek), describes 10 principles of holistic language education and how they may be translated into actual classroom practice.…

The view that computers are crucial tools in current educational technology raises questions concerning their importance for prospective teachers and invites concern about how preservice teachers might react to interacting with both computers and children in an educational setting. Preservice language arts teachers with little computer experience…

The first in a series on content area writing instruction, this booklet is intended for elementary school teachers who have taught writing, but who want to move into content writing topics and for teachers who are novices at teaching writing but who think content writing instruction might be an important skill to teach their students. The three…

Russian culture is very much influenced by its huge land area, peculiar topography, and harsh climate. To understand Russian culture one must know how Russians perceive nature. This paper discusses how this concept may be conveyed to U.S. middle school students through poetry. Poems about nature can provide students an opportunity to understand…

Focusing on integrating the teaching of language arts through varying functions of language, communication modes and audiences, this curriculum guide emphasizes the importance of a language rich environment which will enable students to understand the purposes and power of language and to use it confidently and creatively. The guide provides…

In the 1984-85 school year, the 3-year Honors English course was initiated at Stonewall Jackson and Charleston High Schools in Kanawha County, West Virginia. Focusing on its humanities approach to language arts instruction, this curriculum guide outlines a sequential, thematic program designed to provide students with an historical background of…

Arguing that listening is a skill that should be taught systematically in the schools, this paper presents a rationale and strategies for implementing listening instruction in the classroom. The paper first contrasts convergent and divergent thinking, noting that creativity and problem solving are in this latter mode. Next, it examines definitions…

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…

The teaching profession's present notion of the ability of teachers to contribute to theory development in language education needs reexamination. University researchers can best foster this ability by encouraging and assisting teachers to become engaged in classroom research. On the basis of both published evidence and field data, it can be…

This manual outlines course performance standards based upon intended outcomes in courses which are part of the state-adopted curriculum frameworks, grades six through eight. The Florida standards are for selected courses in language arts including English and reading. Ten to 11 performance standards for language arts are listed for each of the 18…