Argues that folklore goes beyond plastic toys and popular media symbols to share the humanness of a people. Suggest ways to use Polynesian folklore (nature fables, tales, and legends) to deepen children's understanding of Polynesian culture. Reviews specific stories, references juvenile collections, and offers classroom activities. (SR)

Discusses four books that will be useful to teachers who are rethinking how and why they teach grammar, and who want to connect and imbed the study of grammar in students' thinking and writing. (SR)

Describes how the author's eighth-grade language arts inquiry-based instruction blossomed into student-based community learning, with students defining and seeking their own relevant goals, bringing the community to school with an art exhibit of tolerance, volunteering at a nearby elementary school, creating community gardens to fulfill a…

Discusses 10 obstacles a teacher might encounter when incorporating technology into the classroom. Argues that with technology, like any other teaching strategy, teachers just need a few strategies that work for them, which they vary and adapt as needed. Lists some small, medium, and large projects using technology in the English classroom that…

Describes how using prereading opinionnaires enhances students' understanding of literature while satisfying many of the demands of Standard #3 of the Standards for the English Language Arts. Offers examples of such opinionnaires, and shows how one was used in a 9th-grade English class to promote students' understanding of the novel "The Giver,"…

Suggests that research is a process, not a product, whose most important skill is thinking. Maintains that students cannot produce outstanding research papers unless they are taught strategies for gathering information, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating that information through critical thinking. Discusses ways English teachers can build…

Outlines an exercise the author has successfully used in literature classes to promote discussion. Describes how students engage in a pen-and-paper exchange of short, thoughtful responses to a particular topic. Notes how this exercise allows (and requires) every student to "speak" at the same time through writing, and that in ensuing class…

Designed to help stimulate the development of thinking skills in children of varying abilities and to review basic skills at all elementary grade levels, this book contains 153 "ready-to-go" classroom activities. Included are "total-group,""partner," and "individual" activities. Activities in the book are…

This book explores the subject of metaphor, using the imagery of cartography to set a course. It explores the creative aspects of thinking and learning through literature, writing, and word play, drawing connections between English and other content areas. Theory and practical applications meet in the book, linking activities and resources to…

Upper-level elementary classroom teachers can integrate wordless picture books (usually used only in the lower elementary grades) with the Jigsaw approach to cooperative learning. Students are first assigned to heterogeneously-balanced "home teams." Members of the home team write a story to accompany a picture book, usually in about 15…

Pupils need to experience a rich language arts curriculum. Each learner must have feelings of self-worth and acceptance of others in the classroom setting. Educational psychologists have long recommended that learners perceive that content acquired is integrated. English teachers have debated the merits of teaching isolated learnings in the…

This curriculum support document, for English Language Arts, Senior Years, grades 9-12, in Manitoba, is intended to suggest general strategies along with specific formats and activities for teaching listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing, and thinking skills, and for the study of literature and language. The document's nine sections are as…

Originally developed for the Department of Defense Schools (DoDDS) system, this learning package on expanding thematic units beyond the textbook is designed for teachers who wish to upgrade or expand their teaching skills on their own. The package includes a comprehensive search of the ERIC database; a lecture giving an overview on the topic; the…

One of a series of activity guides designed to aid teachers in developing the thinking skills of intermediate grade students, this publication offers a variety of learning activities and resource materials. The activities and resources include: a calendar which lists important days and birthdays in December, January, and February; poems; word…

Initiating an effective and well organized plan for parent involvement in the elementary language arts classroom takes plenty of work--work to achieve it, work and commitment to maintain it. One such program encourages parent participation in the classroom for parents who are able to volunteer their time, but also emphasizes parent participation…