After providing a synthesis of research on the teaching of writing, this booklet offers summaries of writing programs in Washington State. Included are descriptions of (1) the Kettle Falls Secondary Language Arts Project, (2) the Kettle Falls rating scale for student writing, (3) Project WRITE, (4) the Puget Sound Writing Program, (5) the Edmonds…

Creative dramatics can be used effectively by the elementary teacher to help motivate students to become involved in various language arts activities. Dramatic play, pantomime, story dramatization, imagination exercises, creative movement, improvisation, and other structured activities encourage students to relate new experiences to old. As they…

A national survey was conducted to determine what book-length works are currently being taught in public, parochial, and independent secondary schools (grades 7-12). Department chairs were asked to list the works which all students, in any English class, study. Although the rank ordering differed somewhat in the three samples, the top 10 titles…

This guide, developed by educators and revised by Louisiana teachers and curriculum specialists, provides Louisiana educators with information regarding assessment strategies used on the Louisiana Educational Assessment Program (LEAP) Grade 11 Test as well as suggested instructional approaches for enhancing student proficiency in the skill areas…

This two reviews of the literature on computer-assisted instruction (CAI) are intended to provide a general outline of the major issues involved in the use of computers in education. The 1986 review focuses on definitions, computer usage, achievement gains, staff development, and trends, while the 1986-87 update focuses in particular on the…

Part of a series focusing on the classroom needs of special students, this book supplements more comprehensive and theoretical treatments of teaching language arts with practical classroom teaching strategies. The book is divided into the following five parts: (1) "Special Language Arts Needs of Special Learners," with chapters outlining…

In accordance with the Albuquerque (New Mexico) Public Schools' curriculum planning process, a language arts program evaluation was conducted during the 1986-87 school year in order: (1) to provide a comprehensive overview of the language arts program; (2) to determine if the language arts program meets the needs of students and parents; and (3)…

Designed as a model to demonstrate one way in which English language arts common curriculum goals can be extended throughout grades K-12, this document is the integated work of English language arts educators and curriculum specialists. Following an introduction that outlines the steps necessary to adapt the model to fit local needs, the first…

Information on current trends and issues in English instruction, compiled by directors of the following National Council of Teachers of English groups, is presented in this report: Commission on Composition (Charles Schuster); Commission on the English Curriculum (Eileen Lundy); Commission on the English Language (James C. Stalker); Commission on…

This collection of essays focuses on the "strategic teaching" model of cognitive instruction, a model which makes clear the complex thinking process that teaching is, highlights the importance of the teaching/learning connection, and aims at enabling all types of students to become successful learners. The papers consider the varied levels at…

Noting that issues surrounding grammar instruction are a source of controversy within the English language arts curriculum, this concept paper examines the usefulness of formal instruction in naming parts of speech, diagramming sentences, naming types of phrases and clauses, and naming sentence types. Following an introduction that defines…

The objectives of the Tacoma (Washington) Public Schools' 5 year, K-12 values education program were to familiarize teachers with the theories of moral/ethical education, develop or identify appropriate curriculum materials, train teachers to use these materials, and evaluate the program. Participating were 244 language arts, social studies,…

Using one newspaper produced by an upper elementary school class as an example, this booklet describes how to put together such a newspaper in ways that will develop students' language skills. Chapters provide (1) a rationale for classroom newspapers, (2) organizational schemes for the newspaper, (3) possible job assignments, (4) some workable…

This monograph consists of teaching guides for five junior novels: "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing"; "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH"; "Across Five Aprils"; "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe"; and "Harriet the Spy." Each unit is intended (1) to enhance the creative process; (2) to foster cognitive development at the concrete operational…

The 14 articles in this journal issue provide suggestions for making language study interesting. Specific topics discussed in the articles include (1) metaphors, (2) expressing feelings, (3) grammar for speakers of nonstandard English dialects, (4) medical jargon, (5) grammar in the writing process, (6) the rhetoric of teacher comments, (7) slang,…