Provides seven fully developed library media activities that are designed to be used with specific curriculum units in mathematics, reading/language arts, science, and social studies. Library media skills objectives, curriculum objectives, grade levels, instructional roles, activity and procedures for completion, evaluation, and follow-up are…

Describes an eighth grade teacher's efforts to integrate talk and writing, questioning and discussion, and learning as a shared responsibility between students and teacher. Outlines several projects related to the theme of work that achieved these goals, including interviews with parents and community members, journal entries projecting into the…

Provides seven fully developed library media activities that are designed to be used with specific curriculum units in physical education, reading and language arts, science, and social studies. Library media skills objectives, curriculum objectives, grade level, instructional roles, activities for completion, evaluation, and follow up are…

Describes one fifth grade teacher's approach to the teaching of U.S. history. Reveals that the teacher limited breadth of coverage in favor of an approach that sought to connect themes and facts. Explains that the teacher incorporated language arts teaching, storytelling, writing assignments, and cooperative learning activities. (SG)

Disputes the version of whole language presented by Michael McKenna et al. in the preceding article. Argues that whole language is an educational paradigm complete with theoretical, philosophical, and political assumptions and a congruent research agenda. Contends that "paradigm blindness" prevents critics from seeing the legitimacy of…

Describes a play-based procedure for assessing young children's knowledge of the functions of writing. A case study highlights this discussion. (BB)

Provides on-task activities to fill in unexpected extra moments in elementary classes. The activities require little preparation and take 5-15 minutes to complete. There are activities for math, language arts, social science, science, critical thinking, and computer. An outer space board game is also included. (SM)

Ability grouping persists because few practical, financially feasible, and politically palatable alternatives have been explored. Built to accommodate a team of 6 teachers and 135 to 150 students, 1 Virginia middle school's parallel block scheduling plan exchanges tracking for a practical method of working with heterogeneous groups of students.…

Literature and nature study are brought together through poetry in a plan for a class walk in a natural area. Includes tips on organizing the walk, preparing the students, and introducing an exercise in Haiku poetry. (Author/MCO)

Describes a five-month study unit for eight to nine-year olds that integrates the Native Peoples of Manhattan, New York, into social studies, science, the arts, and literature. The unit includes the area's environment; the area's people; a harvest festival; tribal legends and traditions; literature to expand student's work; and science class…

Ninth graders explored the theme of power and ambition by reading William Shakespeare's play "Julius Caesar," studying daily life in ancient Rome, comparing the play's plot to the attempted overthrow of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, examining other power struggles, and developing scripts for modern-day "Julius Caesar"…

Examines educational film and video as an affective or cognitive learning tool. Suggestions are given on how to select a film for a particular lesson; how to prepare students for viewing; how to structure a lesson including the language arts; and how students can be led to improved visual literacy though analysis of form and structure. (Author/KRN)

Describes how Butner Elementary School at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, transformed a courtyard into a nature learning center, complete with three-tiered pond, fish, animals, and plants. The project, funded through the collection of aluminum cans, is used for science, archaeology, language arts, and social studies activities. The high level of…

Seven chapters consider what learning is and what counts as learning in the context of formal schooling. How qualitative research assists in this examination is explored. Qualitative research is an indispensable tool in the repertoire of research approaches that will illuminate learning discourse. (SLD)

Argues that typical language arts instruction for special education children is misguided because it emphasizes identifying and remediating deficiencies in individual children. Offers a model for teaching at-risk children that applies whole language principles and practices to meet the needs of special education students. (MG)