The focus of this article is a nine-month long practice-led research (PLR) project. As part of this project, the author developed a cross-curricular program as part of a middle-school humanities course in order to facilitate student discussion. The program, which the students and author dubbed "BlogArt," began as a writing- and…

This book brings together current thinking on informal language learning and the findings of over 30 years of research on captions (same language subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) to present a new model of language learning from captioned viewing and a future roadmap for research and practice in this field. Language learners may have…

"Phonics with Feeling" is a teacher-written phonics-based literature series promoting student self esteem and self expression. The 4- to 6-week project has been used with first and second grade students for 2 years. "Phonics with Feeling" is a series of four books, each reinforcing a specific phonetic skill while integrating…

This paper discusses the relationship of reading and television and describes a "critical viewing skills" program ("Spudbuster") for combatting the effects of prolonged TV watching. The paper enumerates helpful suggestions for both parents and teachers to ensure that children's television watching is not excessive and that what…

This booklet presents descriptions of 72 successful basic skills reading programs collected from school districts nationwide by the National Diffusion Network. Information provided for each program includes: (1) program name and brief description; (2) audience focus (noting grade and ability levels); (3) a detailed abstract of the program; (4)…

The Miami University (Ohio) School of Interdisciplinary Studies has implemented a program of quantitative thinking across the curriculum. Four aspects of quantitative reasoning (learning from data, quantitative expression, evidence and assertions, and quantitative intuition) are developed in the core curriculum as a foundation for further…

Described is an interesting attempt by one university to require of students demonstrated competencies in writing as freshmen, quantitative reasoning as sophomores and juniors, and oral communication as juniors or seniors. Quantitative measures of the effectiveness of the program are not provided. (Author/RM)

This booklet presents descriptions of 31 successful basic skills language arts/writing programs for prekindergarten through grade 12, collected from school districts nationwide by the National Diffusion Network. Information provided for each program includes: (1) program name and brief description; (2) audience focus (noting grade and ability…

A cross-disciplinary project at the University of South Alabama has been successful in improving the technical competence of undergraduate writers in all academic fields. For the geography department, this project has involved developing courses which teach writing as part of the thinking process and problem-solving method. While instructors have…

Describes Johnson County Community College's Learning Strategies Program, which teaches students how to learn and to use self-instruction to become independent learners. Reports on program development and implementation; the effects of strategies instruction on grades, study skills, learner satisfaction, and course completion; and plans for…

Suggests that the bias linking guitars to popular culture has needlessly limited approaches to teaching guitar. Examines how each of five current programs develops different music skills. Advocates a comprehensive, multifaceted program capable of emphasizing student skills in melody, harmony, perception, creativity, and performance over six years…

Teachers of English as a Second Language (ESL) are responsible not only for teaching students about the rules of language, but also for encouraging the understanding of and empathy for those who are native and non-native speakers of the target language. Where there is cultural diversity, there is often intolerance, and Taiwan is no exception. A…

When designing a program to improve the critical thinking skills of students, it is important to identify the specific learning outcomes for which to strive. In addition, the instructor must determine why students are not currently exhibiting the kind of critical thinking skills desired in order to develop the appropriate techniques and methods to…

Lessons from a ninth-grade course which integrates social studies skills development and economic concept teaching are outlined. An overview describes the content of the year-long course and the skill objectives. Course content is divided into three sections: a basic introduction to economics, student interest topics such as the economics of crime…

A teacher workshop held in Italy brought together storytellers, teachers at all educational levels, and teaching specialists to explore the pedagogical possibilities of storytelling as a method of teaching French as a foreign language. Teachers learned techniques for helping their students create and tell stories. (MSE)