Surveys the implementation of language experience and considers its benefits. Describes how teachers use language experience to demonstrate that language is used to express ideas and thoughts. Concludes that literacy educators need to redouble efforts to model Language Experience at all levels of professional development and to link theory with…

Claims one way to provide students with a powerful literacy is to structure an educational environment in which language is all encompassing. Describes the literacy program at Emerson Elementary Magnet School (Westerville, Ohio) as one such program. (NH)

Describes several language experience activities involving sports to create meaningful and motivating learning experiences for primary students. Urges educators to provide activities based on students' interests to provide frameworks for the integration of reading, writing, and learning. (MG)

Presents a case study of an avid middle-grade reader who a had poor self-concept and who did not connect her school reading to anything in her life. Discusses how free-writing and language experience approaches helped her present detailed, thoughtful responses to text. (RS)