Children need many opportunities to draw inferences and to sharpen visual imagery. Reading a story and having pupils visualize the images it evokes is good practice. (Author)

Describes Stein and Glenn's research on story grammar and suggests classroom uses of the grammar. (SS)

Creative writing helps children to develop the ability to think imaginatively and to express their ideas and feelings effectively and constructively. Properly motivated, it is an enjoyable acitivity that should be carried out more than once a year. (Author)

In this article thirty second graders joyously celebrated George Washington's birthday with a musical, one-act play. Also, an amusing poem was presented, a story about Groundhog Day was told, and a game activity for a valentine's party was described. (RK)

Presents a reading package which includes steps to motivate wider reading interests, a list of best new books, and guidelines for organizing a school bookstore. (RH)

Presents suggestions for developing a thematic teaching unit to help students overcome fear by learning about the courage of survivors in literature. The article recommends reading a story aloud, discussing courage and survival of the characters, and developing group-guided reading activities that involve individual or group projects. (SM)

Authors examine three broad purposes for storytelling and reading-to-them experiences as methods that broaden children's listening and reading experiences. (RK)

Twenty-two pages of holiday gems for you and your kids, featuring traditions, giving the natural way, singing under the mistletoe, paper crafts, choral reading, an international bazaar, poetry and puzzles, a seasonal bibliography, projects with plastic, a couple of stories, gifts from the teacher, and gifts for your colleagues. (Editor)

Presents teacher-tested techniques for making phonics part of helping students learn to read. Suggestions include writing to read, working with storybook text, using techniques that utilize many senses, and making phonics only one part of a balanced reading program. Resources for obtaining phonics materials are included. (SM)

A special section examines the advantages of using big books with young children. One big book author discusses her work, noting the importance of big book reading. Other authors present teacher-tested tips for using big books, titles of big books, and ideas for do-it-yourself big books. (SM)

Science fiction is a good teaching tool for elementary students because it stimulates the imagination and prepares children for the idea that the world will be different when they grow up. The article presents a science fiction unit, recommending books and activities about aliens, the future, and time travel. (SM)

The article reviews elementary level books that help students deal with life's unpleasant moments. Stories focus on self-centeredness, making excuses, first day of school, bossiness, cultural differences, adjusting to seventh grade, completing assignments, and being different. Teaching tips for presenting the stories to the class are included. (SM)

The article reviews back-to-school books which can help elementary school educators handle their students' first day jitters and anxiety about new teachers. It also reviews books on general topics designed to help children grow. Teaching tips and book-based activities are included. (SM)

This reproducible for teachers to send home to parents explains why parents should read aloud to their older children: to increase understanding and enjoyment, to give real-life context to stories, to check for mistakes as the child reads aloud, and to share the sheer joy of reading. It is important to choose high-quality literature when starting.…

Ten reasons that teachers should read aloud to students in the upper elementary grades are given. Suggestions for choosing books that will be suitable for oral reading are included. (PP)