Professors in a Communication Arts methods course for preservice and inservice elementary school teachers sought to move the content of the language arts curriculum from a direct instruction to a whole language model. A transformation came about as one professor realized that her efforts to enthusiastically convey the importance of authentic…

An exploratory study investigated the relationship between perceptions and practices in reading and language arts, and examined whether teachers were using practices to develop students' literacy skills suggested in work by Marie Clay. Subjects, 16 out of a possible 22 kindergarten teachers in one southern school district, responded to a 138-item…

This collection of 29 succinct information articles discusses issues relating to language arts, including whole language, phonics, student evaluation, spelling, and censorship. Some of the authors contributing to the collection are Ken Goodman, Yetta Goodman, Jerome Harste, Patrick Shannon, and Constance Weaver. Titles of articles are:…

An Oregon school implemented a program of journal writing in grades 5 to 8 and evaluated its effects upon the language arts curriculum and students' writing ability. Each of the 11 teachers in the project decided the amount of time to allocate to journal writing and the routines to establish, although all followed certain guidelines on…

This paper describes a four-step approach to constructing a diagnostic test that provides precise but practical information on students' problems and needs for additional instruction or remediation. The approach is based on analyzing the structure of the domain to determine which skills within the domain need to be assessed to diagnose students'…

The 26 articles in this journal issue discuss the use of the computer in the English classroom. Among the topics and applications discussed are (1) computer assisted invention, (2) word processing, (3) overcoming computer anxiety, (4) using computers in technical writing classes, (5) grading student essays by computer, (6) the experiences of an…

This multi-curriculum study unit focuses on holidays, anniversaries, and special days. In addition to a calendar of monthly events, worksheets with games, puzzles and activities for lessons are included. The worksheets can be duplicated for students, placed in learning center folders, or used as examples for developing new worksheets. Some of the…

One of a series of activity guides, this publication offers a variety of learning activities and resource materials to help teachers and students celebrate special days and events in autumn. The activities and resources are especially designed to develop communications skills of students in grades 4-8; however, they are easily transferable to…

One of a series of activity guides, this publication offers a variety of learning activities and resource materials for primary grade students. The activities and resources include: science activities; word puzzles and other puzzles; a flannelboard story; dramatic play exercises; arts and crafts activities; language arts activities; poems; outdoor…

This resource guide consists of activities related to 26 separate energy topics (one for each letter of the alphabet). Topic areas are: approaches to problems related to energy shortages; biomass; conserving energy; demand for energy in the year 2000; economics and energy; fossil fuels; geothermal energy; hydroelectric power; insulation; energy…

Since 1956 the "Core Program" in the Omaha (Nebraska) Public School System has been a central part of the seventh through ninth grade curriculum. The program is interdisciplinary combining the teaching of language arts and social studies in blocks of two or three hours. These extended periods allow for the integration of academic…

A survey was conducted to ascertain the amount and type of external testing (defined as any test introduced from outside the classroom) of English/language arts being administered throughout the province of British Columbia (Canada) during the 1985-1986 school year. Teachers and administrators were also given the opportunity to comment on the…

Designed to tap the rich collection of instructional techniques in the ERIC database, this compilation of lesson plans offers practical suggestions for incorporating computers into the English/language arts classroom at both the elementary and secondary level. Because many teachers and administrators are using computers for the first time, the…

This 64-item bibliography focuses on the effect of keyboarding on middle school students' composition writing, using word processing. The bibliography (which surveys selections dating from 1956 through 1989) includes those studies describing the feasibility of teaching touch typing keyboarding skills to middle school students, the value of…

This annotated bibliography contains 37 references on reading material selection dating from 1986-1989. Included are guidelines for selection of appropriate materials for various age groups; examples of various reading programs; and conflicting opinions regarding censorship, bibliotherapy, and books for special needs populations. (MS)