A microanalysis of play in a fourth-grade classroom highlights its governing patterns and rules in play in which literacy is a factor. Social rituals of children are products of interaction and observation of the adult culture. They are a window into how schools and culture inform each other. (SLD)

Describes an annual forum of academic and public librarians from the United States and Mexico that discusses common interests such as resource sharing, collection development, and literacy programs and considers longer-range programs. Sidebar articles cover Spanish language publishing in the United States and an annual book fair held in Mexico for…

Discussion of several modes of understanding in the cognitive approach to information processing focuses on heuristic (discovery-based) scientific understanding. Topics covered include how students seeking heuristic understanding in a process-oriented school library media program look at information, use preconceptions to guide their searches,…

Discusses changes in school libraries and their impact on student instruction and use. Highlights include national guidelines; the National Goals for Education; educational research and reporting; global patterns; information delivery and storage; the projected configuration for libraries and information services; skills for information literacy;…

Presents the case study of an African-American woman returning to a basic skills program in an inner-city community college, examining in particular a writing conference with the task of transforming telling of an experience into writing about it. (SLD)

Examines four exemplary classes that participated in a study of secondary schools which successfully promoted achievement for language minority students. Common elements of good teachers included respect for students, enthusiasm for teaching, high expectations, promoting language development, promoting content knowledge development, encouraging…

The "Passport to Flexible Learning" project was designed to support Central Queensland University's (Australia) plan to use a variety of communication technologies for the delivery of units of study across its geographically isolated campuses. Hands-on workshops were developed to introduce first-year students to a variety of electronic…

Annotated bibliography of 56 books, book chapters, journal articles, research reports, and government reports on education in Cuba, published 1971-97. Categories include general overviews; the 1960s; improvement policies and the 1970s; ongoing improvement, 1986-97; political economy issues; youth and socialization; power and people; and…

Describes how a Chinese boy's entry into American language and culture was supported by a second-grade classroom that provided frequent opportunities for him to use oral and written language in personally meaningful ways. Discusses use of multiple discourses, personal recognition, and time and choice. Concludes that freedom, purpose, and support…

Free online news sources are plentiful, but their useful access is problematic. The Chico High School (California) library's collection of Full Text Daily News Archives With Search Engines offers many advantages in a number of curriculum areas. Accessible from school and home, it provides an opportunity for teachers and librarians to collaborate…

A study assessed early literacy skills and expressive and receptive vocabulary skills in 39 Head Start children and correlated skills with measures of caregiver/child interactions observed in the home. Degree of caregiver involvement, rate of language interactions, and participation in early literacy activities were related to literacy and…

Outlines some of the similarities in the roles of the teacher-librarian, curriculum consultant, teacher educator, and administrators in general, and then describes new partnerships that can be nurtured when teacher-librarians move into other educational roles. Discusses institutional leadership, curriculum development, advocacy, management,…

A class of fourth-graders-turned-film-producers created an animated video about national parks. The experience helped students acquire academic skills and knowledge, use technology meaningfully, feel confident about themselves and their learning, value cooperation, understand the creative process, sustain a vision, and have fun in school. (MLH)

Czech and German secondary students improved their English and learned more about each other's cultures by producing and exchanging English-language videos. The project is described, examining seven areas of student growth (e.g., improved self-image, English fluency, presentation skills, technological expertise, and cultural knowledge) and noting…

Summarizes efforts to inculcate computer literacy in teachers in Macau (Portuguese territory down the coast from Hong Kong scheduled to return to Chinese sovereignty 12/20/99) to prepare for the information era. Topics include course objectives, core studies, optional studies, construction of Web-based learning environments, and multimedia…