Claims drama in the classroom offers teachers an opportunity to "bring to life" the challenges and triumphs of African Americans. Describes a drama workshop based on the story of Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. (NH)

Offers brief descriptions of 38 illustrated children's books that embody the notion of summer days spent traveling, discovering, inquiring, adventuring, or having fun. (SR)

Argues that explicit instruction is not a characteristic of teaching practices as much as an aspect of the negotiated space between teaching and learning. Describes how three teaching strategies that shift focus from teachers' explicit telling to learners' explicit thinking (demonstration, assisted performance, and reflective description) make…

Argues that Barbara Kingsolver is one of the fresh new American voices whose work could find a comfortable niche in the curriculum canon for high school literature classes. Describes her novel, "The Bean Trees," determining that it is an extremely "teachable" work. Outlines opportunities the book offers in terms of themes,…

Relates how, throughout the author's life from early childhood well into adulthood, literacy has been a powerful adventure helping her to survive and thrive. Notes that she teaches reading and writing to her students to share these gifts of language with them. (SR)

Presents 13 short descriptions from 13 different English teachers describing the most effective writing assignment they have ever given. (SR)

A well-designed physical education program can offer opportunities for students to practice and improve language arts skills. This article presents approaches for collaborating with other teachers; ongoing strategies for use in the physical education classroom; integrated activities that incorporate language arts and physical education; and…

Uses recent evaluations of English/Language Arts standards to make three points: (1) these evaluations (by organizations such as the American Federation of Teachers, the Fordham Foundation, the Council for Basic Education, and Achieve) are not nonpartisan; (2) such activities are unlikely to move forward the quest for standards-based reform; and…

Describes the use of primary source letters to teach middle school students language arts skills as well as historical research. Discusses handling old documents; how old letters can be discovered; transcribing letters; learning about human nature; and comparing aspects of life in the past with present life. (LRW)

Describes how one instructor used science education methodology in a language arts methods course. The purpose was to understand how preservice teachers might improve their science teaching through language arts methods. Discusses one preservice teacher and her use of the methodology in the science methods course in which she was currently…

Maintains that viewing should be incorporated as an integral element in whole language curricula. Suggests a number of activities for the secondary school language arts classroom, pertaining to specific tenets of the whole language approach. (TB)

Outlines the overall framework of the Michigan English Arts Framework project. Describes the mechanisms and strategies that are being used to build the project with participation at all levels. Discusses the tradition of curriculum separation, the role of whole language, and integration and standards. (SR)

Argues that the rigidity of the five paragraph theme actually dissuades students from practicing the rhetorical analysis necessary for them to become critical thinkers. Suggests that English teachers continue to teach the essay as a rhetorical form with three units, an introduction, a body, and a conclusion, which may consist of more than one…

Learning language arts skills in connection with all other subjects helps to prepare students for the real world of work and higher education. Collaborative efforts of academic and technical instructors can result in meaningful improvements in students' communication skills. (JOW)

Advocates the use of single-subject experimental design as a method of evaluation in a language arts component of a developmental education program. Measures student outcomes of literacy growth as a part of instruction. The rate and degree of growth varied between individuals, indicating which students benefited most from specific instructional…