Instructional materials are essential tools in the English language arts classroom. They allow students to interact with words, images, and ideas in ways that develop their abilities in multiple literacies such as reading, listening, viewing, thinking, speaking, writing, and technology. Because selection policies should reflect local interests and…

Observes how poetry used for teaching children during the past 75 years has evolved from works for adults to those more appealing to or written specifically for children. (HTH)

Presents an interview with Roger Fransecky, who has worked in the field of children's mass visual media, especially television, and who advocates inclusion of visual, electronic media in school language programs. (HTH)

Presents examples of new approaches and materials for using television in educational settings. (RL)

Maintains that poetry can be used in a variety of ways to stimulate and enliven the early childhood curriculum. (BB)

Explores the relationships between children's literature and moral development. Discusses characteristics of a "female morality" and why such a perspective is important. Describes some children's books that exemplify this perspective and offers suggestions for their use to help children develop morally as well as cognitively and socially. (HTH)

Reviews Kenneth Macrorie's "Twenty Teachers," G.R. Kingdom's "Vocabulary Routes," and Jane Lamb's "The Complete Newspaper Resource Book."(EL)

Evaluates materials for classroom instruction or professional development in the language arts. Addresses the effort to create better teaching through thematic inquiry units by reviewing three professional development texts, three instructional kits or multimedia packages, and three magazines for children. Concludes by sharing some general…

Although many composition teachers have taken to heart recent studies on the mind-brain (humanities/science) link and have begun to anticipate enhancing the teaching profession by providing a solid link between teachers of writing and "hard" scientists, such links between minds and brains should not become part of pedagogical design. Textbooks and…

Reviews statistics on school purchase and use of video equipment and products, factors motivating renewed school interest, and school programs with new video applications. Recommended videos for science, mathematics, social studies, language arts, and teacher training are listed. Renewed interest in instructional television sparked by wider video…

The reviews of instructional materials in this focused journal are arranged into the following sections: extended reviews, writing and reading, source books and course books, fiction, poetry, drama, computers and media, and reference books. (HOD)

Defines the whole language approach as an attitude about how children learn as well as a teaching strategy that transcends specific curricular areas and extends far beyond language arts. The implications for publishers, teachers, librarians, and curriculum developers are discussed. (CLB)

Seven critical needs require attention if the educational community is to capitalize on current opportunities for educational reform. (1) Literacy must be redefined and recognized as involving more than minimal skills. (2) All children must have access to the tools of learning and the carriers of culture. Library and instructional resources and…

Examines four software packages: (1) "Wordbench"--writing and word processing, grades 9-12 (IBM and Apple); (2) "Muppet Slate"--language arts, grades K-2 (Apple); (3) "Accu-Weather Forecaster"--weather analysis and forecasting, grades 3-12 (modem with IBM or Mac); and (4) "The Ripple That Changed American…

Maintains that primary school teachers should increase the emphasis on narrative and expository textual experiences. Children should be exposed to a variety of reading experiences through a classroom library, the practice of reading aloud, and children's magazines. (BB)