Consideration of literacy practices that ensure success for young second-language learners has become crucial for educators, given the growing linguistic diversity in an ever-increasing number of regions, the limited resources of school systems, and the swirling public debate on bilingual education. This article explores principles regarding…

Discusses why elephant riddles are viable catalysts for word play and language development in the primary grades. Explores some relationships between children's thinking and elephant riddles. Offers some suggestions for incorporating them as a regular part of the classroom flow. (SR)

Discusses the relationship of cognitive development or thinking skills to language development and beginning reading. (MKM)

Presents a language arts unit designed to create bridges between the real world and the story in order to help children develop both social understanding and reading comprehension skills. (FL)

Inferential questions were found to elicit longer responses than factual questions, reflecting complexity and the use of higher cognitive processes. (MKM)

Notes that brain research completed in recent years has shed light on the process of learning to read, then reviews that research and makes suggestions about what it means for instruction. (FL)

Argues that by encouraging children in their early writing efforts, adults can help them develop into confident and comfortable writers. (FL)

Describes the "ALERT" procedure, whereby teachers may combine the language experience approach with the use of radio, television, newspaper, and magazine advertisements in a strategy that is useful for developing critical thinking skills, even in very young students. (ARH)

Reports that readiness tests given to children in bilingual villages in Papua New Guinea showed that children learning to read in an unfamiliar language were more confused than were children who had never had literacy instruction. (FL)