Elementary school goals for instruction focus on developing literate readers and writers. Provides examples of integrated interdisciplinary and thematic instruction. Recommends the use of thematic instruction with an interdisciplinary focus to meet National Science Education Standards and National English Language Arts Standards. (Author/SJR)

Finds that 30 states require oral communication as part of an integrated language-arts curriculum; one state reported no state-wide standards for oral communication; two states include oral communication separately from language arts; and twelve states reported exit level testing or competencies of graduating high school seniors which included…

Describes an integrated English/science curriculum wrapped around environmental issues and aimed at establishing collaboration among students. (CCM)

Language and literary arts are based in the technology of communication, making communication studies in technology education inherently interdisciplinary. An interdisciplinary approach emphasizing learning to learn and metacognition can allay concerns about the future of the written word in a world increasingly driven by technology. (SK)

In pondering the reasons for declining standardized test scores at higher grade levels, a California high-school teacher realized that instruction may not be keeping pace with tests. A study of Chicago Public Schools found that repeated or low-level instruction in math and language arts classes was commonplace. (MLH)

Defines a critical pedagogy as a moral vision of human justice and decency. Argues that a critical pedagogy of the theatre could help create an analytical discourse of entertainment to allow children a different type of cultural literacy. (NH)

Offers a classroom vignette illustrating how students learn through story. Focuses on 10-year-old Brad and the role literature discussion played in enabling him to work through the death of his grandfather. (SR)

Describes the author's experience writing a novel which she believed was a love story, but came to realize was a story about domestic violence. Argues for a strong role for young adult literature in examining the realities of abusive, confining relationships. Notes that young people have been helped in dealing with their own dilemmas by seeing…

Examines the origin of the term "attitude," and how its meaning has changed over the centuries. Discusses theoretical definitions of the term by I. A. Richards and by Kenneth Burke. Discusses its role in the learning process, and how an explicit attention to attitude in the language-arts classroom might help students become better readers and…

Discusses a five-day Holocaust lesson based around Robert O. Fisch's memoir "Light from the Yellow Star: A Lesson of Love from the Holocaust." Describes class activities as students responded to Fisch's artwork, to his narrative text, living history, living prejudice, and genocide. Concludes that the memoir is an invaluable testimony and…

Describes ways short story collections can be integrated into the English curriculum, including a short story fair, a short story hunt, using single short stories to extend a unit, using a short story by itself, using a collection as a whole, and using short stories as part of a focus on writing. Offers a list of short story resources. (SR)

Describes how a high school English teacher went looking for and found Mexican-, Filipino-, African-, European-, and Native-American Literature, in order to bring all her students' worlds and voices into the classroom. Argues that all students must be included in an education that socializes them to a multicultural rather than a monocultural…

Attempts to bring some clarity to an understanding of the common attitudes that this culture holds about language and grammar standards. Notes that understanding language attitudes can help language arts teachers know where they themselves stand and how they can address negative or harmful attitudes in the educational setting. (SG)

Uses the work of three kindergarten students to cast light on the integral relationship between the creation of visual art and the development of written and oral language. Shows how children use art as a tool for composition. Looks at stages of literacy development and the arts, and examines the acquisition of skills and the arts. (SR)

Demonstrates that a careful reading of the book for young adults, "Holes" by Louis Sachar, reveals how this contemporary story is grounded in folklore, and that it is this debt to folk literature that allows readers to accept an improbable plot. Shows how the story weaves together elements from traditional folk literature and stretches them across…