A surprising conversation with her young daughter inspired author Brandie Bohney to incorporate mentor texts to help students make sense of convention rules. Since struggling and reluctant readers tend to also be struggling and reluctant writers, the author designed activities that would concentrate on the conventions students most needed to…

Three skills of written expression--composition, mechanics, and grammar--are the focus of this guide for elementary grades. The goal for these areas is for all students to learn how to use the skills of composing and editing appropriate to their age and level of individual development. Within the categories of composition, mechanics, and grammar,…

Describes teaching method in which junior high school students (1) take dictation of a sentence illustrating rules of usage; (2) copy it, punctuate it, and identify rules for its punctuation; and (3) discuss the sentence after the teacher writes it on the board. Notes that all low-average ninth graders thus trained passed the High School…

This special journal issue focuses on writing in the elementary school. Topics discussed in the various articles include (1) a technique for teaching persuasive composition, (2) writing in the second and third grades, (3) correlating writing assignments with the study of literature, (4) a problem solving approach to composition, (5) the Virginia…

Described are six language arts games for elementary school students in the areas of grammar, mythology, debate, spelling (silent "e"), poetry, and classification (word lists). (CJ)

Offers suggestions from six contributors regarding a variety of classroom activities, including the use of high interest-low vocabulary books with gifted and average readers, an exercise in sequencing, a Halloween project to improve students' grammar, a technique to improve students' dictionary skills, and methods for helping students write books.…

Presents a group of 31 innovative language arts activities from teachers nationwide designed to inspire elementary students to become eager writers and editors. The article is part of a package of 100 creative ideas for keeping students enthused about learning in language arts, science, math, and social studies. (SM)

The two volumes of this sourcebook are designed for elementary teachers to help encourage children's creativity. The volumes offer activities and suggestions for language arts teachers who are interested in a variety of approaches to helping children appreciate poetry; do elaborative thinking; understand generic and specific words; understand…

This curriculum guide for the secondary school language arts program is divided into seven sections: General Introduction, Oral Communication, Literature, Spelling, Written Language, Special Courses, and Appendix. These general sections describe approaches to such topics as listening, conversing, parliamentary procedure, oral interpretation, the…

Proposes an integrated approach to teaching mechanics that focuses on literature and writing to maintain student interest, but incorporates enough mechanics to eliminate isolated skill lessons. Illustrates the method with an imaginary class discussion of wording in a seventh grader's short story that prompts revision of spelling and diction. (JG)

Pupils need to study grammar that is useful and functional. How much stress should the language arts place upon pupils understanding the eight parts of speech in traditional grammar? Good teaching emphasizes proceeding from the concrete to the semi-concrete in teaching-learning situations, then the abstract phase of learning needs to be…

Intended to enhance the quality of language arts instruction in the first grade, this curriculum guide defines objectives, lists some basic resources, and offers suggested teaching activities. The five strands covered include language and grammar, listening, speaking, reading, and writing. An articulation chart at the beginning of the guide…

Intended to enhance the quality of language arts instruction in the second grade, this curriculum guide defines objectives, lists some basic resources, and offers suggested teaching activities. The five strands covered include language and grammar, listening, speaking, reading, and writing. An articulation chart at the beginning of the guide…

Intended to enhance the quality of language arts instruction in the third grade, this curriculum guide defines objectives, lists some basic resources, and offers suggested teaching activities. The five strands covered include language and grammar, listening, speaking, reading, and writing. An articulation chart at the beginning of the guide…

Intended to enhance the quality of language arts instruction in the fourth grade, this curriculum guide defines objectives, lists some basic resources, and offers suggested teaching activities. The five strands covered include language and grammar, listening, speaking, reading, and writing. An articulation chart at the beginning of the guide…