Current conversations about children's literacy have focused on the need for more phonics and decoding instruction and have sidelined the importance of children's language development, argues George Hruby. Language development involves more than the ability to decode written language. The ability to understand the meaning of those words is also…

This resolution builds on the National Council of Teachers of English's (NCTE's) longstanding policies on students' rights to their own languages, resolutions opposing practices that denigrate home or heritage languages, policies supporting the unique learning needs of the individual, resolutions supporting inclusion of exceptional students, and…

The increasing presence of linguistically diverse young children in U.S. public schools has prompted science educators to recognize the need for approaches that are inclusive and sensitive to students' academic needs. The challenge is to design lessons that provide language support while actively engaging children in authentic scientific inquiry.…

Music teachers may integrate a variety of English language arts content standards into their curriculum to enhance students' music experiences while also supporting their language development. John M. Feierabend and Melanie Champagne's picture book adaptation of "My Aunt Came Back" lends itself to multiple singing and discussion…

Positively influence comprehension, vocabulary, syntax, and oral language development with read-aloud strategies. The author shares tips for making read-alouds successful.

The Common Core Standards and the wide-spread state adoption have implications for music teachers. Alignment with English language arts Common Core Standards is discussed, with examples provided for elementary general music experiences. The author notes the challenge of retaining focus on the music domain while meeting the expectations of the…

An examination of the writing of an elementary school student shows how students' revisions in their papers and complete rewrites of them are indications of their writing development. (DD)

Describes a teaching method for writing and language development in which the class meets around a large kitchen table and the teacher's written responses to children's writing provides a model for their skill development. (HTH)

Discusses a framework of learning outcomes on language development (produced by the State Education Department in New York) consisting of a list of language outcomes with brief definitions and a continuum of performance with detailed criteria at several points on that continuum. Describes the continuum, particular language outcomes included, and…

A language arts teacher of junior high students with deafness or hearing impairments familiarized her students with "Romeo and Juliet" by telling the story in speech and signs, exploring the characters's personalities, reviewing vocabulary, putting the characters into contemporary situations, and directing the students in a full-scale…

Describes a program to develop students' oral language skills, a critical component of language arts in the preschool through sixth-grade curriculum. States that, for each level, a master list was comprised to help teachers discuss the creation of a continuum of oral language objectives. Finds the program made teachers, parents, and students…

The staff of the Individualized Language Arts Diagnosis, Prescription, and Evaluation Project, a funded ESEA Title III program, has developed methods based on a diagnostic-teaching framework designed to analyze students' writing skills for grades 1-12. The program structure also provides teachers with methodology for developing and reinforcing…

This article considers ways in which computers can be used to encourage primary grade children to use language purposefully, with emphasis on the need to integrate computer activities into the overall curriculum. Described, with examples, are microworlds, programing activities, word processing, databases, drill and practice activities, adventure…

Describes a project in which children learn about the language of film and how to use language or action to express themselves. Outlines the steps of a class filmmaking project, including brainstorming, plotting, writing, making film props, and filming the movie. (HTH)

Described is a preschool science activity in which students use shell collections. This activity demonstrates how language development and reading readiness skills are interrelated with science. Prereading and reading activities are described involving the students in direct interaction with the shell collection. (DS)