Finds that oral retelling of stories (as an instructional procedure with language learning-disabled students) is most effective in a one-to-one context with the teacher as audience. Finds students' oral retelling abilities inconsistent with regard to age. (SR)

Discusses a framework of learning outcomes on language development (produced by the State Education Department in New York) consisting of a list of language outcomes with brief definitions and a continuum of performance with detailed criteria at several points on that continuum. Describes the continuum, particular language outcomes included, and…

Discusses the nature of English from a historical perspective. Argues that conceptions of English arise within or center around an open set or centripetal tendencies and purposes. Discusses these purposes as coalescing around five distinct foundational metaphors, which help to answer how to teach English and how to organize it for instruction.…

Suggestions are offered to elementary school teachers for more effective bulletin boards, which encourage hands-on manipulation, reinforce a wide spectrum of concepts and learning skills, provide visual confirmation for learning, and encourage student creativity and hard work. Examples are provided from social studies and language arts. (DB)

Discusses ways to encourage children to write original poetry and provides samples of student works. Over a 10-week period introduced children to 3 types of poems: noisy poems (focusing on noises and sounds related to the topic), poems for 2 voices (dialog poems written in 2 vertical columns), and free poetry (poetry without rhyme or meter). (MDM)

Reviews three videodisc programs that enhance content integration with real-world skills: (1) "The Adventures of Jasper Woodbury," a math program for middle schoolers; (2) "Channel R.E.A.D.," a reading skills program for third through eighth graders; and (3) "Perfect Copy," a copy-editing program for grade four and up. (MDM)

Discusses what happens when students and teachers are encouraged to use multiple ways of knowing in mediating their experiences with the world. Suggests that a good language arts program expands the communication potential of all learners through the orchestration and use of multiple ways of knowing for purposes of ongoing interpretation and…

This article describes a course in ancient Egyptian studies for gifted elementary students. The course incorporates social studies, science, math, language, reading/writing, and art activities. Students study history and development of Egyptian culture, reading and writing with glyphs, and analyzing and evaluating Egyptian hieroglyphic writing.…

Describes and evaluates the Integrated Assessment System, an extensive and flexible language arts assessment system designed to help teachers assess reading and writing skills using genuine, process-oriented, holistic reading and writing tasks. (SR)

Illustrates how teachers can use flexible grouping to help all children experience success in reading and writing. Notes that, because flexible grouping is relatively new, more research will need to be conducted to further clarify its strengths and weaknesses. (PRA)

Focuses on a technique called "Early Recollection of Reading and Writing" (ERRW) that provides teachers with the knowledge needed to help unlock and develop a student's potential in reading and writing. Presents the technique's theoretical basis and practical application and illustrates the critical role that this technique can play in…

Discusses the current state of alternative assessment programs, focusing on results of studies the authors conducted in two school districts. Shares implications for policy and for curriculum and instruction. (MG)

Describes several types of literature-based language arts programs, and addresses major issues related to implementing such programs. Specifies the most significant characteristics of successful programs: those related to the classroom and the school, those related to the teacher and parent/caregiver, and those within the learner. Presents some…

Presents a 17-item annotated bibliography of items (published between 1990 and 1992) from the ERIC database concerning the use of portfolios in reading and language arts. (SR)

Presents annotations of 12 books, conference papers, and other materials concerning the reading/writing connection, literature-based reading, and whole language. (RS)