Discusses six books intended to support educators who are looking for ways to make poetry a part of children's lives. Examines four books which offer numerous successful examples of reading and writing poetry in classrooms, and then looks at two books that offer poets' perspectives on reading, writing, and teaching poetry. (SR)

Describes a teaching strategy used in undergraduate reading/language arts methods classes that combines methods from case-based instruction and reader response to literature by using literature case studies--novels that contain school-based events and characters. Offers entries from undergraduate education students' literature logs to describe the…

Because the media emphasize how females look rather than what they do, it is important for children to encounter strong girls in the books they read. This article provides an annotated bibliography of picture books for primary grade children in which African and African-American girls exhibit admirable traits. Suggests class activities in art and…

Uses excerpts from fourth graders' literary discussion to describe literary language and reading strategies these students use to analyze and talk about literature and to generate meaning in response to literary texts. Rethinks the nature of literary discussions and outlines the importance of these literary discussions. Lists seven characteristics…

Describes how a seventh-grade teacher introduced her students to poetry by having them create performances of rhythmic poems. Describes how her students created moving performances of poems and responded to poetry with deeper and more personal insights than she had ever seen. Describes students' public poetry performances. Offers examples of…

Describes how an eighth-grade language-arts teacher teaches poetry via performance. Describes how she introduces poetry, performance, and audience. Shows how students (even non-readers and non-achievers) quickly show great eagerness to do poetry with enthusiasm, excitement, and energy; and now perform locally. Includes a poetry portfolio outline…

Presents a conversation with eminent educator Dorothy Strickland, designated 1998 Outstanding Educator in the Language Arts. Discusses her books, being a "career mom," her role in writing the report "Becoming a Nation of Readers," the cycles that reading education seems to go through, professional development, "Reading…

Examines "the ways in which educators have not taken up social and cultural understandings of the teaching and learning of literacy." Concludes that the challenge for educators and policy makers is to make use of what is known about the cognitive, linguistic, and sociocultural processes involved in the education of all children. (SG)

Describes how three middle-school teachers incorporated popular culture media into their content area classes (eighth-grade physical science, seventh-grade language arts, and seventh-grade social studies). Discusses how studying popular culture encourages adolescents to think critically. Discusses issues of planning, fitting into existing…

Shares how the study of insects became a focal point for cross-curricular convergence in the author's classroom. Describes the design of a unit of study that focused on entomology but integrated academic areas, especially language arts. Concludes that students must develop a sense of interdependence and an understanding of possible relationships…

Argues that, taught in the context of writing, grammar can enhance and improve students' writing. Offers classroom examples showing how: good preparation for writing fosters good grammar and detail; students can use grammatical and syntactic constructions used by professional authors as models for their own writing; and how to help students learn…

Describes two projects undertaken with the author's high school English classes in which students chose writing they wished to share with their own community, and then published it, in one case selling their class anthology to selected businesses around town. Describes the increase in enthusiasm for writing and care and professionalism caused by…

This second installment of an article on a collaborative project involving high school and elementary students focuses on cooperative learning techniques with computers in language arts. Topics include classroom design, hands-on learning, new teaching and learning perspectives, sample assignments, the down side of technology, and recommendations.…

Discusses the benefits of linking schools in different parts of the world. Provides a list of what to do and what not to do in setting up such a program. Describes some of the opportunities available to teachers and students. (DDR)

Describes using an outstanding portfolio created by an average fifth grader to study and reflect on the author's teaching and to consider connections between her teaching, the Michigan Language Arts Content Standards, and her District's new standards-based curriculum. Discusses the portfolio process, preparing for portfolio presentations, and the…