Intended to help educators select textbooks that represent the highest standards of quality instruction, these guidelines describe major aspects of textbooks--of language arts instruction--considered essential. Following an introduction, the eight guidelines (whose features should be central to a program's design and should pervade the entire…

Five teachers developed and tested creative, subtle approaches to the use of aging-related source material in language arts activities, an effort which resulted in this volume of 14 self-contained activities. These activities have been successfully field-tested in junior or senior high school classes, resulting in gains in language arts skills,…

Six conceptions prevail about the language experience approach (LEA) although research and practical experience have proven them false. (1) "LEA does not teach basic skills." If basic skills are defined as communication competence, LEA teaches basic communication skills as well as the mechanics of communication. (2) "A language experience…

The guide presents suggestions for enrichment activities emphasizing poetry for gifted and talented intermediate students. Information is arranged according to objectives, entry skills, teacher's approaches, student activities, and resources. The following poetry-related topics are addressed: poetic license; metaphors; poetry charades;…

Examines the difficulties of writing scientific material and suggests that scientific rhetoric be used. (LS)

Suggests methods for promoting competency and growth in composition. (RB)

An instructional strategy which combined what is good in programmed learning with the best aspects of student-centered methodology was described and an example utilizing a popular poem was provided. (Author/RK)

Demonstrates the positive effect of a computer managed, individually prescribed learning program on the achievement of behaviorally disordered, delinquent adolescents. (RB)

This essay is an overview of the state of language arts and sciences, or theory and applied skills, and it surveys literacy levels, ability in both native and second languages, language education and linguistic theory. (CK)

Presents a rationale for teaching "As You Like It" to elementary school students and discusses some of the problems teachers may encounter in teaching this particular comedy of Shakespeare's. (RB)

Good listening is a process that requires such elements as direct training, patience, practice, and understanding. (JH)

Rewriting nursery rhymes was found to be a successful method of vocabulary development. (JH)

Listening skills are enormously important both in and of themselves and as correlates with reading comprehension. Storytelling is a very productive approach for encouraging listening skills. Perhaps the focal point relative to promoting listening competencies rests with generating appropriate attitudes among listeners. Directions for listening to…

This article describes Readers Theater (a form of group storytelling in which two or more readers present a piece of literature by reading aloud from hand-held scripts) and advocates its use in the classroom. The paper's seven sections are as follows: (1) What is Readers Theater; (2) Readers Theater and Its Conventions (discussing scripts,…

An ethnographic study examined the interdependence and synergism of multiple symbol systems of first grade writers. Subjects, four first grade students, were followed as they engaged in playful literacy--composing with blocks, clay, shadow puppets, tissue paper collage, drawing, and written and spoken words. "Thick description" was used…