Presents ideas for literacy-enriched birthday parties and other nonschool celebrations in family and community contexts. Discusses whole language birthday parties, other literature-related family events, and enrichment of other nonschool activities with literature. (SR)

Presents guidelines designed to help teachers using whole language for the first time. Addresses a variety of concerns, including staff development, the change process, and implementation. (SR)

Focusing on the whole language and the direct instructional approaches, this pamphlet summarizes research on teaching and learning spelling. The pamphlet notes that the goal of the whole language approach to spelling instruction is to produce competent, independent spellers who learn through use and express their progress as increasingly…

Presents reflections of six primary school teachers and their principal on the growth of their literacy program based on whole language principles; and their professional development as teachers of young children. Discusses a nurturing environment, changes in their literacy program, strategies for success, and future goals. (SR)

Describes five whole language professional resources that present many insights into whole language theory along with specific ways to implement it in the classroom. (MG)

A primary-grade teacher describes how she uses singing to teach phonics in her classroom. Notes how children are helped to integrate the three cuing systems of language--semantic, syntactic, and graphophonemic--as they read and sing together. (ET)

States that in education journal articles it is apparent that "multicultural" is the new buzz word. Argues that while multicultural awareness is important, the surface treatment of the issue of diversity in America may obscure the more serious problems that minority groups face. Concludes that with effort, schools can be transformed into…

Discusses the author's experiences in learning about the whole-language approach. Suggests that whole language is not so much about method or philosophy as it is about power. Offers five suggestions for administrators and teacher educators to help teachers explore the possibilities of whole language. (RS)

Discusses some principles, considerations, and cautions for those creating staff development programs in whole language. Discusses factors necessary for effective implementation of whole-language programs. (RS)

Teaching grammar to deaf and hard-of-hearing students within a whole-language perspective involves recognition of students' developmental needs and the needs of the task. Strategies for teaching grammar include comparing student work with standard writing; identifying and classifying nouns and verbs; clarifying the roles of modifiers; and building…

In this practitioners' guide, a recognized reading expert explains how educators, parents, and concerned citizens can spot ineffective reading programs that may hide under the "scientifically-based" banner. Although the term "whole language" is not commonly used today, programs based on its premises remain popular. These…

This comprehensive encyclopedia of children's literature for the lower grades aims to inspire teachers, librarians, and students to delve into picture books and find ways to integrate books into the curriculum. The encyclopedia offers information on themes, focus picture books, and author studies to help educators become familiar with specific…

Discusses the importance of the adaptability and flexibility of instructional resource materials. Highlights one quality resource for young readers, "Bookshelf, Stage 1," and another for intermediate level students, "Reading beyond the Basal Plus." (MG)

This article describes a teacher-created instructional phonics program that shares philosophical underpinnings of the whole-language movement which is not always adequate in helping at-risk beginning readers. In this program, phonics is taught directly in a way that is natural, authentic, interesting, meaningful, and fun for children. (JDD)

Traces the evolution of the first author's philosophy and practice to show how progressive educational practices have come to challenge cultural norms. Discusses multiple literacies, making whole language critical, learners and the real world as curricular informants, interrupting normativity through literature and the arts, and being critical and…