This article offers a contextual analysis of contemporary immigration issues impacting the institutions in the United States, in particular the school. It discusses the importance of addressing this theme in the classroom and presents its curricular value in the elementary and middle school social studies and interdisciplinary curricula. Using a…

The 2014 "Comparative Education Review" bibliography of refereed journal articles on topics relevant to comparative and international education covers all 12 months in 2014 and includes 3,389 entries--a full 30 percent increase over the set of references assembled in the 2013 bibliography. They are drawn from 280 refereed journals, both…

Suggests practical ways to activate and build appropriate cognitive schema for understanding the classics via adolescent novels. Presents eight pairs of books, each pair an adolescent novel and a classic, on eight themes. Presents a brief discussion of each theme and each book, and a rationale for the pairing. (SR)

Provides an annotated bibliography of eight sources in the ERIC database for ideas and tools for literature-based reading programs. (PA)

Presents annotations of 36 adolescent/children's literature books published in 1995 or 1996 chosen by classroom teachers as "too good to miss." Notes that each annotation includes a suggested grade level, activities for incorporating the particular book into an interdisciplinary or a thematic unit, and ordering information. (RS)

Identifies seven types of alphabet books: letter shapes, word play, art play, topical/thematic, multicultural, narrative, and puzzles. Presents annotations of around 30 titles. Suggests that alphabet books are not intended just for the emergent reader--there is a wide range of ABC books with intriguing stories, captivating illustrations, playful…

This paper presents lists of books about pets and pet care, a list of pet theme ideas, an anticipation guide, and a list of community and professional resources. The 23-item list of books about pets and pet care (published between 1940 and 1994) is divided into sections on teacher's choices, nonfiction, recent books, and teacher resources. The…

This bibliography is intended to expose art teachers and elementary classroom teachers to visual images found in children's literature. Books listed are organized into potential thematic units and are limited to books by well-known children's authors. These books represent useful tools for making connections between visual arts and other…

This topical bibliography and commentary highlights the major points of the available literature on the value of using a "thematic organization" for the teaching of language arts classes in grades 6 through 8. It begins with a definition of the thematic organization approach, as culled from the literature. It then presents briefly a few examples…

The author notes some themes of violence which are found in classic and current children's fiction and suggests ways through which these themes can be explored in the classroom and related to real life. (SJL)

Offers connections and resources about how to build a literature-based curriculum that goes beyond just the use of fiction. Provides an annotated list of 90 books on the topics of the cycle of seasons, weather cycles, cycles of the universe, and life cycles to use in connecting fiction and nonfiction. (MG)

This paper discusses plays and companion art pieces suitable for use in the United States history classroom. After a poster from a production of Max Frisch's "Biedermann und die Brandstifter," the paper presents a list of 18 questions ("lenses") for the study of plays with a historical connection; a list of 15 plays for…

Intended to increase the choices available for teachers and children in the classroom, this book helps teachers deal with the ever burgeoning field of children's books. The first section of the book presents 29 themes on a variety of subjects, such as cats, folklore, money and business, Native Americans, science fiction, sports, villains, and…

Argues that educators must take responsibility for putting a stop to the hatred for and disenfranchisement of students who are seen as being different. Suggests doing that by making sure the expository texts are set within the context of themes--those ideas that matter to students. Presents an annotated list of novels and expository texts to help…

This book presents summaries and activities associated with 15 books to read with kindergarten through second graders that explore social issues central to their lives. Thematic topics include the give and take of friendship; bullies, pests, and teasing; isolation and reaching out across generations; families; and working together. It features…