"Sharing the ownership of knowing" (a constructivist concept of motivation for literacy learning) is a dynamic classroom interaction in which a teacher's constructivist epistemological stance facilitates students' sense of their own construction of meaning and the integrity of their own thinking. Sharing the ownership of knowing was one…

An ongoing investigation on the nature of literature-based instruction in schools that serve large numbers of economically disadvantaged children is in the process of describing various aspects of literacy teaching and learning in four schools, two rural, one urban, and one semi-urban. The investigation is qualitative in nature, longitudinal, and…

Shares the findings of three classroom teachers and a university professor from their collaborative study of how whole language instruction affects the students that teachers worry about the most. Concludes that elements of time, choice, supported risk taking, belonging, and whole language experiences for real purposes make a difference in at-risk…

Explores what second-grade students learned about reading, writing, and literature through a year-long program of strategy instruction integrated within a literature-based environment. Reveals that students grew in overall instructional reading level, coming to view reading as a natural component of the school day; developed skill in word…

This paper describes the experience of a fourth- and fifth-grade, first-year teacher's participation in the Book Club Project of the Center for the Learning and Teaching of Elementary Subjects. The Book Club included the use of high-quality children's literature, opportunities for response to literature in multiple ways, and instruction that…

Explores whether there are unique approaches to early literacy among children reared in a rural Appalachian culture. Describes the reading/writing development of two children--both developed unique styles and approaches to literacy, stemming from home and cultural influences, and a supportive, constructivist, whole language classroom. (PA)

Summarizes key characteristics of whole language. Theoretical views of learners, teachers, language, and curriculum are explicated. The strong research base for whole language is considered. Potential research on whole language classrooms is discussed. (BB)

A study examined how one sixth-grade teacher's theoretical beliefs about literacy and biliteracy were reflected in her instructional practices. The subject taught in an English-Spanish bilingual classroom in a public school located in a neighborhood of low- to middle-class families in a large, southwestern city. Data included field notes…

This 1994 yearbook presents 24 papers and a summary of the dissertation award winner "Overcoming Misconceptions about Science Beliefs" (G. Qian). Papers are: "The Roots of Reading: Preserving the Heritage of a Profession" (N. A. Stahl and others; "CRA Professional Programs and Progress: A Personal Twenty-Five Year Perspective" (James E. Walker);…