The study of language arts is too large a topic for both elementary pupil and teacher, while the study of language skills--reading, writing, speaking, listening--is feasible. However, two main hurdles to teaching language skills well are the separation of reading as a lone subject and the ignoring of speaking and listening skills in many…

These indexes, a set of measures of growth in syntactic fluency, are derived from the research in written syntax of Hunt and Christensen. They are a means of linguistic analysis of each T-unit (independent clause and its modifiers) in a writing sample. The indexes include: mean T-unit length; number of words in free modifiers, final position only;…

Developed by the Oregon Elementary English Project, this curriculum unit on poetry is intended for grades one and two. The primary objective of the unit is to encourage the appreciation of poetry among children. The suggested questions or exercises are limited to simple comprehension or discussion questions; no attempt is made at any sort of…

Developed by the Oregon Elementary English Project, this curriculum unit on stories is intended for grades one and two. The purpose of the unit is to build in students a foundation for enjoyment of literature. The suggested questions or exercises that deal with the stories are limited to simple comprehension or discussion questions; no attempt is…

This study sought to discover what critical apparatus would be most appropriate for observers of verbal discourse who choose to accept Aristotelian or "information theory" causal accounts of dynamic process. The major conclusions were: (1) Both causal systems employ a static grid to express relationships; but while the Aristotelian relations are…

This book of essays addressed primarily to high school English teachers, includes articles about both theories and practices of teaching English. Section one has general articles about teaching English, dealing with (1) such questions as "What is English?"; (2) specific problem areas such as accountability, behavioral objectives, and ability…

This curriculum guide describes courses and provides some sample lesson plans for an English program for eighth and ninth grade students. All of the students are required to take a basic writing course for the first nine weeks of the semester. For the next nine weeks some students receive large group instruction in linguistics and the other…

This handbook was planned to help teachers initiate better writing experiences. It provides ideas to give pupils satisfying and challenging activities. Samples of creative writing introduce each new section. The document has 11 sections; these are: (1) Introduction, (2) Guiding Creative Writing, (3) Areas for Creative Writing, (4) Motivating the…

This report discusses the present state of guidance in the writing of book reports by children in Japan, the basic factors considered in proposing standards for book reports, and standards suggested for evaluating book reports. Many different book-report contests are held each year in Japan, and some contests are conducted on a scale large enough…

Describes the results of an interdisciplinary approach adopted by a French teacher and a music teacher in a French secondary school. (AM)

Includes resources on writing, reading, English/language arts, mass media, and communication skills. (DD)

Describes a short course on fiction for sixth graders through which they grasp the terminology, recognize fiction in stories they read, and demonstrate that knowledge in their own writing. (HOD)

Language arts skills and writing projects can be combined with activities that teach the fundamentals of word processing to improve the language arts curriculum. Suggested lessons cover five writing and editing operations common to most word processing software. (DF)

Comments on 114 studies in such areas as language, oral communication, written communication, pre-first grade programs, and beginning reading instruction. (DD)