Graphic novels (book-length fiction or nonfiction narratives told using the conventions of a comic book) bring together text and image in a way that seems to capture students' imaginations. Right now, there is little more than anecdotal research about how graphic novels can be used within specific middle school and high school disciplines. As…

When the teaching of strategies for understanding literature crowds out a close reading of literary works themselves, something is amiss in language arts instruction, and students lose out. This has become the case in too many elementary and even secondary classrooms today, Senechal believes. Using a strategy-based lesson proposed by Stephanie…

This article describes how the author's skepticism about online education turns into belief when he teaches his own online course. Throughout the process of designing and facilitating his online course, he found himself slowly evolving from critic to champion of online education. Here, he shares the benefits of online learning.

In the struggle to raise U.S. students' achievement in literacy, Hartnett-Edwards says, the emphasis has shifted from finding the right materials to creating better teachers. Central to creating better teachers are literacy coaches. The author claims that the role of literacy/reading coach has evolved beyond its roots in NCLB legislation, when…

The author, a high school language arts teacher, describes her move to a high-needs urban school after 13 years teaching in predominantly middle-class suburban schools. Unlike her former schools, in which a culture of compliance prevailed, her new school serves students who don't necessarily cooperate unless they see how the curriculum matters to…

The author works as a biliteracy teacher in a bilingual school that serves students from K-5th grade. She and her coteacher provide instruction in both English and Spanish to 4th and 5th graders. They have two language arts blocks so that students receive literacy instruction in both their native and second languages, and they teach math, social…

Schmoker asserts that the kinds of skills students need to succeed in college--skills like clear thinking, effective writing, and the ability to analyze international and policy issues--are equally needed for non-college-bound youth. He maintains it is possible--and necessary--to provide an intellectually challenging and culturally enriching…

"Elegant compromises" in the classroom can make divisive discussions between traditionalists and multiculturalists seem irrelevant. For 25 years, public high school students in at least 3 of Wigginton's English classes have met language arts requirements by studying their Appalachian mountain history, customs, and traditions. This…

Inquiry-based science instruction can provide a rich context in which to build literacy skills in the elementary grades. The authors discuss the benefits of incorporating reading, writing, and speaking into science instruction. They describe the results of research on two models for combining language arts and science--the Science IDEAS model and…

Describes a high school English teacher's community outreach program and its "outsider in society" theme. The teacher matched reading assignments to appropriate community service ventures, ranging from puppet shows to public speaking engagements and work with Alzheimer's patients. Community interactions inspired students to polish and practice…

Outlines how word processing programs can be used to create flexible programs for teaching reading and writing skills. Describes two curriculum development projects in the U.S. Department of Education Basic Skills Program that used word processing to develop an integrated language arts program. (MD)

Many teachers are creating learning environments where students' uses of reading and writing are inseparable and relevant to their daily lives. These teachers are supported by recent trends in language arts research, professionalizing trends in today's political climate, education programs modeling language unification, and enlightened educational…

The Los Angles County Office of Education developed the Educational Communications Network (ETN) to help implement English curriculum reform mandated by the California State Board of Education in 1987. ETN has become an electronic staff development distribution system using satellite-transmitted live and interactive inservice programing. (MLH)

Classroom observation of reading and social studies instruction shows that little attention is given to teaching comprehension. Teachers are mentioners, assignment-givers, and interrogators. (Author/MLF)

Describes several academic and behavioral issues involving males in schools, such as males score lower in language arts on standardized tests than females and males dominate school discipline statistics. Suggests several strategies to address these issues: Offer more technology, use multiple literacy approaches, encourage mentoring relationships,…