With the goal of supporting students' writing and content area learning using play as a pedagogical model, teachers' action research projects involved kindergarten and grade 1 students collaborating to create texts for a range of purposes. The authors analyzed the project activities for their starting points or motivators, student and teacher…

Drawing from a qualitative case study that examined the language practices and learning in a first grade bilingual classroom, the author discusses one teacher's daily process for the literacy event of the morning message. Primary findings indicate that the ways the teacher listened and responded to students during the morning message provided…

There are approximately 1.5 million children in the United States who go to sleep each night without a home of their own (National Center on Family Homelessness, 2009). In this article, we provide insights into how educators can create greater classroom support, particularly in literacy learning and development, for this population. Drawing from…

This article describes how fifth-grade students created collaborative online learning communities while discussing and responding to literature on an asynchronous message board. At their own initiative, students constructed and posted various types of literature response prompts, which elicited rich responses from their peers. Types of identified…

Observations of reading instruction in Denmark revealed a calm attitude and informal atmosphere in the classroom resulting in a predominately literate society. (FL)

Contends that the "basics" in reading are not skills but concepts the learner must acquire, and that the learner's role is central to this teaching philosophy. (FL)

Describes a study demonstrating that it is possible to train primary grade children to generate questions for themselves while reading short stories, and that the process of generating questions will enhance comprehension. (FL)

Discusses the influence teacher expectations have on the learning behavior and self concept of students. (RB)

Outlines a program of vocabulary development that contains cognitive, affective, and physical elements. Points to test results showing that the program has been effective with fourth grade students. (FL)

Reviews research concerning the relationship between reading achievement and student leadership. (FL)

Describes eight steps that help students develop the skill necessary for analyzing their work and articulating their progress and goals. Describes how "We Can Charts" help students assess their growth as readers, explain their growth in reading to parents, and develop new reading goals. Discusses the characteristics of active learners and…

Notes that researchers have generated multiple theories as to why students learn to read better when they tutor others. Surveys several options, then concludes that the answer may lie in the amount of time spent on task in tutoring. (FL)

Notes that with computers and technicians in the schools, with public demand for teaching students to use computers effectively, and with the information that students can now access on the Internet, the roles of both teachers and students have changed drastically. Focuses on some specific software that may assist teachers in guiding students on…

Argues that putting children in the questioning role in a discussion leads them to higher levels of thinking. Describes several methods designed to stimulate question creation. (FL)