Discusses the logic, elegance, and history of using they, them, and their as singular indefinite pronouns. Notes that, as a solution to the pronoun problem, the strength of this solution is its vagueness. Offers numerous real-life examples from publications or broadcasts and lists why it is counterproductive for English teachers to exclude this…

Considers poetry for children by the late Ted Hughes, British Poet Laureate. Examines it in its own terms as poetry and in terms of its intended audience. Suggests his poetry was an attempt to create a body of work that remained true to his gift of "caging" the minute within real and imaginary worlds. (SR)

Describes the ongoing work of a teacher whose Summer Institute for Drama/Teacher Education at the University of Tennessee provides training for both theater and classroom teachers. Focuses on her teaching method--improvisational drama--which simultaneously addresses elements common to fiction and script writing, and now contained in the language…

Describes a fun outdoor assignment whereby secondary school students form into groups of four or five and learn about the importance of narrative setting by drawing on sidewalks with chalk. Reviews the five basic elements of setting: temporal, geographical, cultural, historical, and environmental. (TB)

Describes a CD-ROM adventure story written by the author to educate her students about the word relationships of synonyms and antonyms. Discusses how this interactive medium put a different twist on each of the stages of the writing process itself. Relates how two students enthusiastically used the program, and were inspired to write one of their…

Shares some lesser known generalities and historical influences that have influenced the English spelling system. Argues that teachers can help students discover some of the patterns and complexities of English spelling and together explore the rich and fascinating story of how this printed language has developed and changed over time, thus…

Collects and presents comments made by authors of young adult literature about their writing and about literature. Discusses how writing for young adults and teaching young adults might be related; why write books for adolescent readers; what their goals are as writers of young adult literature; and how they move from a blank page to a finished…

Describes an attempt to write and edit a series of stories, 'Science Web Reader,' which make good reading for pupils aged 11-13. Explores three aspects of story: the author identified as a person, the story as that person's thoughts, and the offering of a distinct point of view. (Author/MM)

Suggests that all teaching in literature classes is in some ways preparation for events such as September 11th. Argues that teachers teach students to read events such as these by showing them how to move from reaction to reflection, and from image to empathy; and to write so that they capture their thinking, reexamine it, and present it to…

Offers brief descriptions of 17 books of nonfiction that will inform and entertain, and that middle schoolers will enjoy when they want some information and want to know about the workings and wonders of the world and the people in it. (SR)

Explores three questions concerning the effect of a language arts graduate course on 11 inservice teachers: (1) how teaching practices changed as a result of the course; (2) how teachers' ideas of teaching changed; and (3) what factors facilitated professional growth. (NH)

Suggests some children's literature selections with mathematical connections, and presents activities to integrate language arts and mathematics. (Contains 37 references.) (ASK)

This schools fourth-grade language arts curriculum includes two stories that deal with blindness. The stories prompted Carol Vincent to invite one of her students' parents, who participates in a guide dog program by raising puppies, to bring one of her dogs to school and explain the training of guiding-eye dogs, and the ways in which they can be…

Louise Rosenblatt's theory and vision for a democratic society come alive when students and teachers engage in authentic dialogue around literature. Her deep conviction is that literature and language arts can and should lay the foundation for and foster the development of a democratic society.

This article presents an example of a project designed to get children of different ages working together and working for each other. The project relied quite heavily on children creating a dramatic context and the author shows how the dramatic element has the potential to affect their learning in positive ways. The provision of a shared…