Offers annotations of 12 items from the ERIC database regarding research or classroom practices concerning the relationship between reading and writing in the primary grades. (SR)

Describes a number of poetry writing activities used with third and fifth graders in a week-long poetry project. Includes 14 poems by students. (SR)

Argues that high school American government classes should teach students the realities, not just the ideal, of government and politics in the United States. Gives suggestions for how to teach about elections, Congress, and economics and political parties. (SR)

Describes class activities for the primary grades based on Margaret W. Brown's book "The Important Book" which connects reading and writing. (SR)

Outlines a method of teaching literature in which both students and teachers are asked to enter a fictional world through role playing. Provides a specific example of how the approach might be implemented with a short story. Concludes with reasons why the method is effective. (HB)

Video has been readily adapted into the language teacher's materials repertoire but not as readily as it could be. Issues discussed include filming, the academic "talking head," reactions to audio and video presentations, editing, prerecorded activities and video exploitation techniques, and arguments against classroom video. (12 references) (LB)

Presents suggestions for using children's literature to explore elementary science topics and create literature-based science activities. The article describes books that alphabetically tour the world's fruits and vegetables, describe the world through a blind grandfather's eyes, illustrate more than 600 animals and their sounds, and teach animal…

Presents four activities that illustrate what can be done to introduce children to the use of organizational devices that help the children use nonfiction books effectively. (RS)

Looks at affective aspects in different stages of the reading process to find causes and solutions to the problem of students who do not read content area materials effectively. Offers teaching strategies combining affective and cognitive elements of instruction to motivate students to read content area textbooks with awareness. (SR)

Discusses two software products designed for use in elementary school: (1) Family Tree Maker, which can be used in social studies, language arts, and other areas; and (2) The Little Shopper's Kit, which teaches cooperative learning skills. (BC)

Presents lesson plan to be used after introductory lessons on realizing similarities and differences in people. Plan was designed after request from teacher to help deal with children who were putting down others because their physical characteristics were "different." Lesson demonstrates to children that being different is desirable and that…

Describes "Hypercard," a computer application package usable in all three modes of instructional computing: tutor, tool, and tutee. Suggests using Hypercard in scholastic journalism programs to teach such topics as news, headlines, design, photography, and advertising. Argues that the ability to access, organize, manipulate, and comprehend…

Describes how junior high school students became actively involved in promoting literacy in their school and community by bringing books to children in a homeless shelter, honoring their favorite writer with a schoolwide exhibition, and collecting books to send to soldiers in the Persian Gulf, among other activities. (RS)

Presents several time-effective classroom games that can be used to help students discover the consequences of two important concepts in public finance: the free rider problem and the voting paradox. Maintains that these games encourage student involvement and stimulate class discussion. (DB)

Identifies basic concepts and skills of critical television viewing. Advertisers' and programers' appeals are discussed, and possible critical viewing activities for the elementary school classroom are suggested. (10 references) (MES)