Picturebooks tell stories in both words and pictures. Interacting with the printed word, the technical elements of illustration--color, line, shape and composition--work to establish and enhance the story. Sometimes simply by adding description of characters and setting, and, at times, by challenging the veracity of the text with ironic or…

Early encounters with environmental print, words, and other graphic symbols found in children's surroundings are among their first concrete exposures to written language. These experiences: (1) provide an introduction to making meaning of abstract symbols; and (2) offer children their first opportunity to make sense of the world through print. As…

The potential instructional uses of three kinds of French signs are outlined, focusing on the signs' function as pointers. The signs include road signs that give directions, public interdiction and instruction signs, and advertising used in public places. Illustrations and sample exercises are included. (MSE)

Suggests the use of picture books to teach the five fundamental themes of geography in the primary grades. Describes the use of maps which follow the paths of characters in children's literature. Discusses the use of four stories that are accompanied by maps and follow-up activities. Includes reproducible maps. (KO)

The Children's Museum in Boston developed MATCH Boxes (Materials and Activities for Teachers and Children) to provide self-contained, multi-media kits for elementary school use. The project sought to determine an optimum balance of activities and various media which would involve the student directly in the learning process and would make use of…

The Children's Museum in Boston developed MATCH Boxes (Materials and Activities for Teachers and Children) to provide self-contained, multi-media kits for elementary school use. The project sought to determine an optimum balance of activities and various media which would involve the student directly in the learning process and would make use of…

This primer picture book may be used in various games and activities to extend the child's vocabulary and to provide pre-reading practice in letter and sound identification, categorization, and audio-visual discrimination. (Author/SK)

Presents a simple, yet effective method for drawing a world map that helps younger students remember the continents, oceans, and major seas. The only materials required are a ruler, paper, and a world map (a transparency would work best). Includes suggestions for related activities and ways to improve map skills. (MJP)

The second volume of the report by the Children's Museum of Boston on the development of MATCH Boxes (Materials and Activities for Teachers and Children) contains materials related to the evaluation of these multi-media kits. The MATCH Boxes, designed for use by a teacher with 30 children for two to three weeks, covered 16 different topics, the…

The second volume of the report by the Children's Museum of Boston on the development of MATCH Boxes (Materials and Activities for Teachers and Children) contains materials related to the evaluation of these multi-media kits. The MATCH Boxes, designed for use by a teacher with 30 children for two to three weeks, covered 16 different topics, the…