Investigating the origins of place names provides pupils with a wealth of language arts experiences in vocabularly, research, and writing. Activities based on place names are suggested. (MT)

Ways to perk up language arts instruction include skits, choral readings, and full-length plays. Ideas for putting a show together, from making the curtain to having a cast party, are covered. Two readings, a skit, and a play are appended. (MT)

A primary/intermediate starter unit which explores circus life and history is presented. Activities range from constructing a circus time line beginning in ancient Rome to research on the treatment of animals by circuses. (MT)

A language arts unit on the shape "round" is described. Useful materials, references, and activities are suggested. (MT)

Teachers are provided with 16 activity MENUS (Motivating and Exciting but Not Unmanageable Strategies) that introduce, extend, and refine important reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. (IAH)

A collection of plays, stories, and rhymes are offered in this article to help celebrate Halloween. (DF)

Presents a selection of language arts ideas related to the presidential election campaign. Activities cover critical listening, role playing, vocabulary development, reading, oral speaking, and writing. (SJL)

Presented is a journalism primer, with activities designed to get elementary school students involved in all journalistic processes--observing, interviewing, recording, planning, and writing the final product. Journalism terms are defined. (KC)

This poetry workshop has students read Monica Gunning's poem about her childhood in Jamaica, create lists of what they want to know more about, search for and share the information, then find poems from other parts of the world. The Gunning poem and lists of resources are included. (SM)

A variety of activities are offered to help children develop skill in public speaking. Confidence is built when childen practice presenting themselves both visually and orally. (DF)

Writing skills can be reinforced when students work together to create a classroom novel. Examples of how a language arts class developed a character by brainstorming, then wrote and revised their story to be shared with others, are given. (DF)

Suggests setting up a cooking center in the elementary classroom. Presents a rationale for using cooking-related activities and recipes with language activities, and lists children's books concerning apples, gingerbread, donuts, and pretzels. (SJL)

Presents hand-on, standards-based activities in language arts, math, science, and social studies, including a daily almanac; bookmark buddies; word palettes; bowling for numbers; math thought teasers; plant puzzles; fingerprint fun; a travel bureau; and an end-of-the-year bulletin board of people involved in interesting activities. Reproducible…

Presents suggestions from two elementary teachers on easy, technology-based learning activities. The first activity involves using the computer to unscramble words and cut and paste them into a sentence. The second activity involves developing web pages of various important parks and other locations to which students can plan and conduct virtual…

This collection of standards-based activities includes ideas for use in social studies, mathematics, language arts, and art classrooms. A tear-out student reproducible offers a bookmark that allows students to note unfamiliar or unusual words and phrases as they read and to jot down their thoughts and observations. (SM)