Describes a plan for promoting student questions for developing students' abilities to ask other than fact questions. (MM)

Defends the inclusion of storytelling in the language curriculum and suggests techniques for effective storytelling. (DD)

Urges the conscious study of personal and professional gestures in elementary school so that children can become fully effective communicators and interpreters of communication. (DD)

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how children can consciously examine the composition process and experience a set of problems designed to improve their writing ability. An approach to writing is outlined which is based on the assumption that writing is a skill that can be learned and improved upon. Examined are such topics as the…

Discusses a study of fourth-grade students' spelling ability that was conducted in response to reports that students in a particular school district had poor spelling skills. (JC)

Asserts that a major challenge in the language arts curriculum is to continue including expressive oral language activities amid requirements for more written-language activities. Claims that there are three tasks for curriculum workers interested in oral language: develop rationales; plan curriculum sequences; and implement evaluation of…

Stresses the importance of creative dramatics in the language arts program, emphasizing the contribution drama makes to learning in the reading and literature programs, oral language development, non-verbal communication, listening skills, and creative writing. (RB)

This paper argues that storytelling needs to be reexamined in light of the changing nature of the elementary school. The problems of storytelling are discussed and five teaching procedures are offered: it is important for the teacher to read several stories before selecting one; the story must be divided into units of action; those sections of the…

Focusing on spontaneous drama--a means of encouraging, extending, and enhancing children's imaginations--this book discusses the growth in language creativity that results when students work with teachers who provide informal drama experiences in their classrooms. The book describes what drama is, how it is done with children, and why it should be…

Intended for the language arts teacher, this book focuses on how to develop children's language skills. The opening chapter of the book presents a brief overview of child language acquisition, children's language abilities at a particular age, and how these abilities develop. The second chapter, on the importance of children's literature, is based…

Reading teachers should choose activities and experiences for the classroom that are central to reading. Although a sense of security surrounds the teaching of testable finite reading skills, it is necessary to choose language arts experiences that are not so readily evaluated but still are basic to reading. Listening instruction can facilitate…

The six authors of this monograph draw from their experience in elementary education in proposing practical techniques for using literature to teach a variety of literacy skills to children. The following topics are developed individually: reading for learning about the nature of language, picture books for reading vocabulary, the trade book as an…

Teaching can no longer be defined as going into the classroom, shutting the door, and doing an exemplary job. Teachers--especially teachers of English--can and should have an influence upon the curriculum by assuming responsibility for purposes, programs, and progress made. (Author/TE)