Describes vocabulary anchors, a graphic teaching strategy that helps young learners build the conceptual connections they need to understand informational (nonfiction) text. Discusses three essential understandings about early learners and concept development. Offers several examples of using vocabulary anchors in the classroom. (SR)

Offers examples of dramatic experiences (student produced soap operas) in two classrooms in British comprehensive secondary schools. Concludes that students in other countries would find such experiences as meaningful and enjoyable as their British counterparts. Notes that the two teachers managed to be flexible, appropriating effective…

Describes two classroom activities that can be implemented in accordance with the best practices revealed by current research on reading instruction with learning disabled students. Describes what research suggests for promoting comprehension for students with reading difficulties. Describes instructional sequences for two literacy activities,…

Describes some of the writing stimuli used to help middle school teacher candidates with their own un-learning as they gain more confidence and insight about authentic writing. Encourages teachers to trust the process and muster the courage they will eventually need to model literacy in their own classrooms. (SG)

Presents a selection of 21 brief (about two pages) narratives by primary and secondary teachers on STELLA (Standards for Teachers of English Language and Literacy in Australia) panels in Victoria and Queensland. Notes that each narrative describes a moment of "good" English/literacy teaching. (RS)

Argues that writers view grammar as a method of image construction. Describes image painting techniques from four grammatical perspectives: images of style, form, content, and convention. Describes how to teach these to eighth graders, offering numerous examples of class writing activities that use images as a doorway into the writer's art and…

Discusses implementation of the Literacy Hour in small rural schools in England. Notes that the study supports evidence from national United Kingdom data that progress in literacy was made during the first year in which the Literacy Hour was operative. Shows that reading scores provide only a partial picture and that progress in writing may be…

Describes a classroom activity, listing step-by-step directions, that demonstrates the unreliability of essay scoring. Explains that after the exercise the class discussion should address the problematic factors in scoring essays. Lists recommendations for improving reliability and validity of essay scoring. (CMK)

Presents ideas for teaching social competence through an integrated curriculum in Head Start programs. Suggestions include planning a grocery store trip, using play to show children how to get along, honoring diverse families in the classroom, bringing diverse community helpers into the classroom, selecting a child of the week, and examining…

Describes learning log assignments for college students in a developmental studies program. Notes that the assignments call for students to reflect on specific cognitive aspects of learning giving them the opportunity to explore their own thinking, evaluate their own progress, and promote metacognitive awareness. Describes learning log assignments…

Recommends a young adult read-aloud selection for science classes on endangered species. Describes listening, writing, discussing, investigating, and debating activities capitalizing on this read-aloud. (SR)

Uses excerpts from children's literature to describe types of gatherings that attract and bring children together. Identifies positive gathering situations (family, neighborhood, and cultural) and negative gathering situations. Presents sample activities that can be carried out in classroom settings to help students recreate gatherings and learn…

Discusses the integration of information literacy skills into classroom activities in order to more fully exploit electronic resources and to use them effectively. Topics include critical thinking skills, context in the curriculum, the impact of technology, literature reviews, a theoretical framework, and the evaluation of information. (Author/LRW)

Suggests that accommodating students' learning styles will bring English classrooms alive. Discusses various learning styles. Describes five strategies for kinesthetic learners. (RS)

Describes several activities for the kinesthetic learner that were developed for a high-school World Literature curriculum. (RS)