Describes a student checkbook program for a third-grade classroom that integrates mathematics and behavior management. Reinforces arithmetic, language arts, and social studies skills. Discusses pedagogical implications. (ASK)

Examines broad issues in creating standards for Australian English teachers by exploring the relevance of the Early Adolescent/English Language Arts (EA/ELA) Standards to the situation in Australia. Outlines methodology and presents findings from a study of 15 exemplary classroom teachers who considered the transferability of the United States…

Illustrates how poems engage readers in heightened experiences of the world and of language itself. Shows some of the strategies that adults and elementary students employed when reading and responding to poems: summarizing the poem, entering in and opening out, entering the world of the poem, opening to the outside world, finding rich…

Staff at the Cucamonga (California) School District discovered no magic key to improving mediocre student performance in their schools. Academic gains became evident only after implementing several steady-improvement strategies in teaching, instructional technologies, learning focus, libraries, remedial reading, and summer school. (MLH)

Discusses the purpose of alternative assessment in language arts classes in the middle school setting. Notes how alternative assessments encourage higher order thinking skills, provide an alternative to failure, encourage students to experiment, and keep teachers interested. Provides directions and scoring guides for examples of alternative…

Discusses how curriculum can be designed so that it has the transforming power to change lives and transform words and actions, especially through literature study. Describes a group of third-graders' transactions with Patricia Polacco's "Chicken Sunday" to show how a "narrative curriculum" can be transformative. Discusses distinctive features of…

Points out the importance of teaching writing and the teacher's responsibility. Recommends providing feedback to student writings. Provides a sample student survey and responses to the feedback. (YDS)

Argues that British students of language study at A level need opportunities to build a broad foundation for exploring language experience, familiar issues and accessible concepts using practical activities and informal discussion if they are to develop their understanding of the more formal and systematic aspects of language theory. (SC)

Offers 50 diverse suggestions intended to offer students new ways to think about a piece of literature, new directions to explore, and ways to respond with greater depth to the books they read. (SR)

Offers brief portraits of 10 remarkable and accomplished middle school language arts/English teachers from around the country. Finds common threads in their philosophy of teaching, learning, and living. (SR)

Considers the importance of teachers changing their practice from the traditional norm. Offers insights into how this change can be achieved. Discusses conditions necessary for supporting improvisation and change. (PA)

Discusses Gerda Weissmann Klein's book, "All But My Life," which chronicles the author's journey from a normal young (Jewish) woman to a slave in Nazi labor camps for six years. Argues that the book is well written, has characters of depth and complexity, affirms life through the ordeal of the Holocaust, and is a popular book with…

Offers reflections of three professors of literacy education regarding their varied field experiences with preservice teachers enrolled in their reading/language arts methods courses. Describes each field experience and discusses its impact on classroom teachers, elementary students, college students, and college professors. Offers some general…

Argues that drama is one of the most powerful teaching strategies available in the classroom, in all subject areas. Notes reasons drama is not used much. Describes two drama activities used with seventh-grade students, and how they used it (with excitement) as a way of experiencing, thinking through and representing new understandings. (SR)

Argues that the English/Language Arts Standards document is a powerful tool for guiding discussion about the connection between evaluation and learning that is applicable across a wide spectrum, including policymaking, curriculum development, and classroom practice. Argues that critically examining issues like portfolio use in conjunction with the…