With the rapid onset of globalization and increasing demand from business, government, and schools for fluency in another language, the author decided to learn Spanish. Driven by a desire to acquire functional language abilities in Spanish, he has embarked on this "better late than never" opportunity to learn the language, and in this…

Provides an annotated book list for use by elementary school teachers. Emphasizes children's involvement in word play and word games as a means to strengthen the language arts program. Specific areas covered include word play and word games, riddles, jokes, rhymes and verse, sounds and words, and word histories. (DST)

Outlines writing/reading experiences in projects that stretch conceptual understanding and illustrates ways to relate language experiences to children's everyday experiences. (CI)

Offers four suggestions for creating a classroom with a suportive, stimulating, and language-conducive environment. (HOD)

Argues that schools should reflect the perspective that diversity, rather than being a problem, is an opportunity for every American to experience other peoples and cultures. Teachers should acknowledge diversity by showing respect for students' names, languages, and cultures in their classroom, curriculum, and teaching style. (MDM)