Presents six key questions to ask about any instructional resource. Suggests a few specific questions to ask when selecting decoding and comprehension games and manipulatives. Presents seven instructional games and manipulatives appropriate for classroom use. (MG)

Features critiques from 10 literacy educators on the book "Beginning to Read: Thinking and Learning about Print" and a response from the author, Marilyn Jager Adams. (MG)

Concludes that the instrument reviewed is a carefully designed test incorporating a new interpretation of standardization and improved definitions of traditional reading levels. (FL)

The article reviews back-to-school books which can help elementary school educators handle their students' first day jitters and anxiety about new teachers. It also reviews books on general topics designed to help children grow. Teaching tips and book-based activities are included. (SM)

Reviews two handbooks of research and focuses on what they have to offer professionals in the field of reading and language arts. (MG)

The three books reviewed in this article represent the continuous effort to make visible the significant bridge between theory and practice in the fields of literacy and children's literature. While the authors maintain distinct purposes for their creations, the texts each speak to a strong theoretical support for the practices they describe. The…

This article describes 6 aids for science instruction, including (1) the use of fudge to represent lava; (2) the "Living by Chemistry" program, designed to make high school chemistry more accessible to a diverse pool of students without sacrificing content; (3) NOAA and NSTA's online coral reef teaching tool, a new web-based "science toolbox" for…

Examines six professional resources which clearly specify beliefs and practices relative to reading and writing connections. (MG)

Reviews several "little" books that can provide material for children's research based on the Montessori Time Lines and classification charts for geography, plants, and animals. Suggests classroom activities to support the beginning reader's curiosity. (HTH)

Asserts that citizens are aware of growing global diversity and interdependence. Maintains that simply providing children with information about other cultures is not enough. Provides a bibliographic essay divided into eight themes related to cultural diversity. (CFR)

Reviews "Showing Teachers How," a series of 12 videotapes released in 1986 and 1987 dealing with (1) reading instruction using the whole language approach in the elementary grades; (2) social studies instruction using trade books; (3) writing instruction; and (4) discussion strategies for current events. (RS)

Presents an annotated list of nine selected resource materials from the ERIC Information System database that were designed by classroom teachers. Maintains that these provide effective alternatives to textbooks and other commercially produced materials. (CFR)

Reviews "Favorites, Friendships, Food, and Fantasy: Literature-Based Thematic Units for Early Primary" (A. Lukasevich and F. Pieronek), a two-volume publication that presents four literature-based thematic units for use in the language arts curriculum. The units are designed to be used sequentially in 12- or 15-day segments, and each lesson has 4…

Describes a variety of software programs appropriate for whole-language learning. The software allows elementary students to make picture books and create posters, banners, greeting cards, puzzles, and minimovies and to do group writing activities. Also included is information on resources and computer reading packages. (SM)

Reviews four resources that will help teachers make instructional decisions in classrooms with bilingual multicultural students. (MG)