In this contributed collection, 23 teachers explain their successful strategies for teaching the social studies disciplines in a whole language context. The collection covers contemporary subjects, traditional topics, well-known projects, social studies in the community, and multicultural matters. It can be used at elementary through middle and…

This article describes the whole-language philosophy of teaching reading and writing and its application to teaching braille reading to blind children. It suggests activities that are effective for enhancing the development of early reading behaviors in children who use braille and that integrate the critical components of literacy learning with…

This article discusses the advantages of using literature in language instruction with special needs students, outlines a process for developing instructional activities, suggests 19 specific books and related learning objectives and activities, and provides a lesson plan that illustrates the incorporation of direct instruction in a whole-language…

Lists 13 whole language projects and possibilities selected from many schools which can be used as a source of ideas to stimulate parents' engagement in whole language activities. Shares the efforts of 1 school, and describes how parents are involved in promoting reading and writing. (MG)

This book offers 80 original chants for teaching children to play with language, discover their ownership of language, and experiment with language. The book states that chants can provide a strategy that develops reading skills, ease in dramatic situations, sidebars in art work, communication abilities, awareness of self and environment, and…

This teaching guide was developed by the Summer Program Academic Resources Coordination Center (SPARCC) in Loudonville, New York. SPARCC was a migrant education grant that developed and helped implement model summer migrant education programs in New York, Virginia, and Florida. This guide provides directions for preparing learning packets to…

This manual is part two of a three-part series of materials from a family literacy demonstration project conducted in Philadelphia public schools. It contains materials on 10 themes that were taught over a 7-month period. The activities in each theme are organized into class activities and home activities. The class activities support the adults'…

This book aims to help teachers who are committed to whole language principles explain the philosophy to their students' parents. It addresses the concerns of parents who most likely grew up in a traditional, teacher-centered educational system, and who therefore might be unfamiliar with a whole language approach to language arts. Drawing on work…

This manual is the third of a three-part series of materials from a family literacy demonstration project conducted in Philadelphia public schools. It contains five units. The beginning unit has activities to use in getting started and to use as everyday activities throughout the program. The other four units have theme activities appropriate for…

Applying the conditions of natural learning to create caring kindergarten classroom environments may support students as lifelong learners. This book presents a natural learning classroom model for implementing a whole-language approach in kindergarten. The chapters are as follows: (1) "My Beliefs about How Children Learn"; (2) "Applying Whole…