Discusses ways in which technology in the classroom is bound to affect both what and how language arts is taught, as well as the very culture of schooling. Places technological innovations within a historical context and provides a hopeful picture for the future. (RS)

Draws on social constructivist theory to present principles of reading instruction for struggling readers. Focuses on three social constructivist-based components that have been used successfully with struggling readers to enhance their reading instruction: a responsive literacy environment, explicit comprehension-strategy instruction, and time…

Outlines how reading became occupied by scientists and positivists who made of reading something mundane, inconsequential, and quantifiable. Discusses the effect that this occupation has had on the pedagogy, politics, and policy of reading in schools and society. Examines the resistance to reading that is provoked by these occupying forces. (SR)

Describes how in the examination of a sixth-grade girl's participation in the language arts classroom that is driven by high-stakes testing and by a regimented classroom culture, the authors came to view students' approaches to literacy events as "stances" and their negotiation of their subjectivities in response to literacy events as…

Argues that systematic phonics is destined to fail as a method of reading instruction, and will make learning to read more difficult for many children. Argues it totally misunderstands or ignores how children actually learn to read; the time to learn phonics, if at all, is during reading; and phonemic awareness is spurious. Looks at ideological…

A focus is made on connectedness by explaining how the MOO is a unique tool that allows students to connect across distances short and long and engendering enthusiasm of reading and discussion. It is further shared how the MOO applications work together, enhance discussions and increase students' skills in communicating with each other.

Second-grade students were divided into groups subjected to three programs namely, Direct Instruction, Open Court and literature based program, in order to determine the effectiveness of the three programs. The results indicated that the Open Court and Direct Instruction programs did not improve the children's reading.

Elaine O'Connor teaches at Clark Elementary School and is creating a literacy program that provides the children with nearly daily opportunities to read and write. Her program focuses on two values, the drafts that provide writers with an opportunity to think, and the response to writers, which focuses on what they know of the content.

An activity is reported that incorporates reading instruction with dramatic play.

Examines a number of language activities in educational software, noting that most focus on surface structure and conventions, thus closing off students' options rather than expanding them. Discusses how, by improvising with word processors, teachers can tailor activities to help students explore and reflect on their reading and writing…

Examines materials in the ERIC system offering teaching ideas and activities designed to promote critical and creative thinking and reading. Discusses the role of teacher questioning techniques and writing to structure thoughts. (HTH)

Reviews selected theoretical and empirical work on the topic of parents reading aloud to their children to assess the state of the art in this area and suggests some aspects still unknown about the nature and consequences of reading aloud to children. (HTH)

Reviews professional resources, curriculum guides, and instructional materials for a variety of elementary classroom subjects, including reading, writing, fine arts, and social studies. (HTH)