Spelling is an important, but often overlooked, component of literacy instruction and development. Although it is related to other aspects of literacy, there are independent theories of spelling development as well as assessment and instructional strategies that align with these theories. This article summarizes the rationale for linking…

In this article, the author presents three themes that can form the basis for exciting world language instruction in Spanish, French, and Chinese at any grade level. These three themes (the prehistoric world; endangered species; and space exploration) use basic science as a context for communication that generates student excitement and enthusiasm…

Describes a project that consisted of a school and a community working together to compile a "trictionary," a Chinese, Spanish, and English dictionary. (DF)

Perceptions about speakers of Spanish, English, and Chinese were studied among 303 Spanish- and English-speaking Hispanic students in grades 3 and 8 in the southwestern United States. Students' prior experience with a language increased favorable attitudes toward the language, solidarity with its speakers, and perceptions of status associated with…

This bibliography includes both commercially published and locally produced textbooks and workbooks that are currently being used across the United States in foreign language programs for grades 1-6. The materials cited are used by 303 elementary schools that responded to a national survey of elementary school foreign language programs. The texts…

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act Title VII program instituted by the public schools of the District of Columbia serves approximately 1600 students in 14 elementary school sites and includes both Spanish/English and Chinese/English components. This evaluation report details the progress of Title VII bilingual education towards meeting…

This report evaluated the seventh year of an after school tutorial program designed to provide extra instruction to students who were recent immigrants to New York City or who came from bilingual homes. The primary objective of the program was the improvement of the students' basic skills, namely reading, communications, and mathematics. One…

This book provides resources for foreign language teachers, supervisors, and others involved in developing and implementing a curriculum. It is the outcome of a 1997 institute, "National Standards for Foreign Language Learning: Curriculum Reform for K-8 Foreign Language Education." The model shows how the national standards can be used…

Examined preschool and primary school students' ability to recognize differences between spoken samples of languages foreign to them. Results found that, although both groups performed as well as adults when the languages within a pair differed, preschoolers performed significantly worse than primary school and college students when the speakers…

This report is based on a survey of the 168 bilingual education programs operating in the U.S. in 1971-72. Of these, 157 responded to the Consolidated Program Information Report survey, which collected data on specific programs and target populations. The report provides some brief background information on Title VII of the Elementary and…

New York's Bilingual Pupil Services program, funded by federal and city governments, promotes linguistic and academic progress among limited-English-proficient elementary school children in selected schools and provides comprehensive in-service training to bilingual paraprofessionals training to become licensed teachers. Recognition as an…

A report on second language instruction in elementary schools outlines the state of the art and makes policy and program and offers recommendations. An introductory section discusses the rationale for foreign language instruction at all levels and particularly in elementary schools, emphasizing the value of early and prolonged exposure to language…

In 1986-87, the New York State Education Department's Bureau of Bilingual Education provided incentive grants to three New York City Board of Education's Office of Bilingual Education projects whose common goal was to improve instructional quality in schools that the state Comprehensive Assessment Report (CAR) had identified as having low student…

The test reviews in this guide are intended to be used by school personnel charged with locating and administering appropriate assessment instruments to limited-English-speaking elementary school children. Assessment instruments are reviewed for native speakers of Chinese, French, Italian, Navajo, Portuguese, Spanish and Tagalog. Each instrument…