Describes a collaborative professional development project designed to bring whole language knowledge to more classroom teachers. Discusses one staff developer's work with a second grade teacher. Argues that staff developers must (1) know and respect teachers; (2) provide ongoing support; and (3) link theory and practice. Concludes that staff…

A study described the influence of writing conferences on revision knowledge and revision activity for an initially knowledgeable first-grade reviser and a relatively naive one. Subjects, two first-grade students in a whole language classroom, were chosen from the 16 students in the class for close study. Data analysis consisted of reading all of…

This four-document collection describes the implementation processes of dramatically improved literacy programs in elementary schools which are leading the move to restructure literacy education in the Northwest (Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington). The first document in the collection, "Strategies for Improving School-Wide…

This response to Gersten and Dimino (EC 606 357) uses a case study to illustrate how a special education teacher integrated strategy instruction into a fifth-grade classroom where a whole-language approach to writing was already in place. Instruction in story grammar is presented as a seven-stage process. (DB)

In the 1988-89 school year, a teacher introduced whole language learning to teach reading and writing in her classroom while documenting and then evaluating its effect on a 12-year-old special needs student named Debbie. According to formal testing, Debbie was functioning in the moderately handicapped range of ability, and her speech and language…

A case study showed how a third-year teacher modified the socialized culture of literature-based literacy instruction she found in her second-grade classroom and teacher education program to reach particular children who were having difficulty learning to read and write. Aaron, the subject of the case study, was a second-grade African-American…

Ways that a secondary English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) teacher can put into practice the principles of the whole-language approach were investigated as part of a larger ethnographic case study of ESL classrooms of Southeast Asian students. The case illustrates the potential of whole language and indicates the need for appropriate reading/writing…

Learning styles have been identified as an important variable in the school success or failure of ethnic minorities in America. Whole language is compatible with the style of Native American children. Nebraska's Winnebago Public School teachers of Native American students use a method of writing instruction that is compatible with their preference…

Based on years of classroom observation, this book presents the thesis that powerful, critical, active, productive literacy can be achieved systematically, and regularly, with large numbers of the school population, if the principles currently known as the whole language approach are applied. The book is based on the assumptions that learning to…

Shares examples from Florida elementary schools that show what happens when librarians and teachers collaborate in language arts curriculum and instruction. Outlines practices that enhance the development of selecting books and using libraries. (MG)

Reports a case study of three kindergarten teachers who were introduced in a university class to emergent literacy research from a developmental perspective. Observations and interviews with the three teachers indicated teachers believed external constraints inhibited child-centered teaching. They held conflicting beliefs about child-centered and…

An experimental English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) program at City College (New York) is reported. The federally funded project investigated the effectiveness of an instructional method entitled "Fluency First" and based on whole language theories of learning. It requires large amounts of reading and writing, collaboration with peers,…