Identified curricular and instructional practices within schools whose students exceeded the state passing average for Language Arts on the Alabama High School Graduation Examination, even though student population were predominantly high risk. Teacher and administrator data indicated that teachers' years of experience, certification levels, and…

Addresses the use of children's literature within the social studies classroom on the topic of memory boxes. Includes discussions of four books: (1) "The Littlest Angel" (Charles Tazewell); (2) "The Hundred Penny Box" (Sharon Bell Mathis); (3) "Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge" (Mem Fox); and (4) "The Memory Box" (Mary Bahr). (CMK)

Cooperative lesson plans are presented for the following: current events for middle and high school; lessons on group process for elementary school; cooperative collage making to summarize a unit; group thank-you letters after an excursion; a team-building/language development lesson; and a values lesson on "Goldilocks and the Three Bears." (JD)

Describes the cooperative learning technique and the advantages of using the technique. Presents the most widely used cooperative learning techniques and describes those suitable for the reading/language arts classroom. (MG)

Teachers can introduce children to the joys and excitement of public speaking by having students produce their own radio plays. Procedures for organizing this project are outlined, and a list of resources is included. (IAH)

Discusses, through a dialogue between an education professor and a student, a course entitled "Teaching Language Arts in the Elementary School." Describes selected aspects of the course, including purpose, plans, and results. Explains how the course helped prepare the student for teaching and how the dialogue helped the professor refine the…

Implications of constructivist educational theory for language arts curriculum development for gifted students are proposed. A framework for designing curricula in which language and higher level thinking skills are integrated with content drawn from multiple disciplines is offered. A sample unit for sixth grade, "Life in a Space…

Provides seven fully developed library media activities to be used in connection with specific curriculum units in music, reading/language arts, science, and social studies. Library media skills objectives, curriculum objectives, grade level, resources, instructional roles, learning activities, and procedures for completion, evaluation, and follow…

Describes a deliberation-oriented approach to curriculum evaluation, in which teachers, administrators, parents, community members, and students meet to determine issues and procedures related to curriculum evaluation. Summarizes findings from an initial attempt to implement such an approach. (MM)

Presents the second article in a two-part series on HyperCard materials (computer software used to build structures that create patterns and connections) designed for English and language arts classes. Suggests assignments for use with early HyperCard software that can be adapted to a variety of nonverbal "stackware." (MM)

Discusses the top eight educational software titles of the year plus 35 additional programs. Topics include math/problem solving, language arts, science, social studies, classroom management/teacher tools, creative arts, and new versions of older software. (MVL)

Demonstrates the interdependency of social studies and reading within the construct of cultural literacy. Suggests ways that teachers can assist students to comprehend, evaluate, and appreciate classroom learning as well as reading textbooks and supplementary materials. (LS)

Asserts that children in science education must have hands-on experience to discover and make sense of their world. Emphasizes that there is a need for teachers who enjoy both language and science. Argues that children need to discover that they use science, like language, daily. (MM)

The article discusses how computers can be used for reading/language arts instruction for gifted learners in primary classrooms. Described are three specific computer modes--tool (assistance), tutor (direct instruction), and tutee (programing), and four future computer uses--expert systems, hypercards, interactive video systems, and graphic…

Guidelines for involving students with learning disabilities in classroom literature circles include demonstrating literature discussion, introducing and forming the circles, modifying requirements for students with low reading abilities, building group skills, managing group discussion, and having students keep response journals. (DB)