Investigated the teaching and learning responses of preservice teachers enrolled in a brief language arts field practicum prior to student teaching. Survey, observation, and journal data indicated that despite consistent efforts by university professors to help preservice teachers examine theory into practice during their practica, procedural…

Describes a series of imaginary visits to earlier civilizations in which the mathematics of each historical period is situated in its social setting. Art and language arts activities based on the mathematics provide further cross-curricular experiences. (Author/NB)

Discusses why jazz is important for English Language Arts education. Describes some contemporary literature for young adults that the author and others have found to be engaging. Presents some general strategies for incorporating the music and literature into the English Language Arts program. Explores in more detail one specific strategy and…

Work with a longitudinal low-income sample of almost 200 early readers revealed that schools that focus entirely on teaching decoding skills in the early grades neglect the essential vocabulary knowledge that students need to become competent readers. (Contains 20 references and 5 tables.) (MLF)

Outlines the highlights of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) 2001 Baltimore convention. Explains the Teacher of Excellence Awards, which identifies outstanding high school English language arts teachers. Comments on a selection of a new editor for the "English Journal," and details new initiatives as well as the Portland…

Presents annotations of 30 titles selected for the 2002 Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts. Notes that the works share one or more of the following characteristics: deals explicitly with language, such as play on words, word origins, or the history of language; demonstrates uniqueness in the usage of language or style; or invites child…

Describes a drama-based language arts unit taught to a fifth grade class. Provides empirical evidence that drama as a strategy of instruction embedded within a writing/language arts unit helps students improve their writing. Suggests continued research and development of drama as a strategy of instruction. (PM)

Unless educators can learn from past extremes, the current emphasis on literature and whole language instruction may undermine phonics and other necessary principles. Fortunately, a reborn emphasis on writing will assist the development of accurate decoding and stress the phonemic structure of language. Educators must embrace "best" trends and…

Discusses several observation-based methods of student assessment that are recommended in the "Primary Language Record," a book developed by schools in the Inner London Educational Authority. (MM)

In a response to the previous article by Carla Heymsfield, it is argued that whole language, as a coherent philosophy of language instruction, does not need to be "patched" with skills instruction, and that direct instruction cannot be reconciled with natural learning. (TE)

Argues that video technology can provide a motivational tool for learning and practicing language arts skills. Describes the steps in a video production process as analogous to the steps in the writing process. (RS)

Argues that the purpose of school--of language and the language arts--is to empower children as public individuals, to give them tools to express their own visions of the world in the public arena. (RAE)

Answers some questions frequently asked by educators wishing to begin a Language Arts Reading Club (a group of educators meeting monthly to discuss common professional reading), such as how to get started, what to expect, and how to keep the club going. (SR)

Describes the evolution of the Teachers of English and Language Arts (TELA), a special interest group created in 1974 in affiliation with the Convention of American Instructors of the Deaf (CAID). Reviews the 10 biennial meetings held by TELA, as well as its relationship with CAID. (MDM)

Argues that, to develop a community of readers of literature, teachers must go beyond an approach to literature that merely treats it as an excuse for a comprehension skills lesson or a social studies exercise. Illustrates the argument with the children's book "Maniac Magee" by Jerry Spinelli. (SR)