The Whole School Approach to Early Literacy Development program, implemented in high-needs schools in Calgary (Alberta), focused on changing school culture so that teachers, administrators, parents, specialists, and students cooperated to meet high expectations for student achievement. Participating schools committed to six requirements that…

For Canada Natives, storytelling and describing dreams are the beginnings of literacy. Many elders survived abuse in residential schools because of language, and claim that one cannot be Indian without the language. This author works in English, yet her writings are informed by Native culture. Language can be a tool or a weapon; it depends on how…

Discusses service learning and presents models of instruction that academic libraries might offer to service learning pedagogy. Highlights include the role of information literacy; reflection; affective and cognitive learning outcomes of service learning; impact of service learning on libraries; learning process model; course objectives model;…

Notes that India has experienced conditions that have lead to significant illiteracy, but that commitment to education can be found in lesser-known parts of India today. Profiles three schools in Tamil Nadu and describes a typical school day for a student with special needs, a student in a tribal setting, and a student in a rural setting. (TJQ)

Describes the CAMINOS computer school that was developed in San Francisco to help Spanish-speaking immigrant and refugee women learn technology skills and English language skills to find white-collar jobs. Discusses flexible curricula; community interaction; disparity in educational levels; connections between classes and future jobs; and…

A study examined socioeconomic and gender influences on student computer use. Surveys of 2,681 seniors from 60 Alberta high schools indicated higher computer use among males. Male and female students of higher socioeconomic status were more likely to use computers at home, but less likely to use them at school. Findings challenge claims that…

This article discusses the paucity of gifted females taking advanced math and science courses and the widening gender gap in computer science courses and the information and technology (IT) field. A list of Internet resources that examine this issue is provided, along with resources for fostering IT skills in girls. (CR)

Examines the Pitts/Stripling model of information literacy, describing its key aspects and showing the relationship between the model and Stripling's vision of the library media center for the twenty-first century. The model promotes caring, student-centered, holistic, humanistic, and realistic library practices that are respectful of the…

Shows how teachers can move beyond holistic teaching by engaging students in critical learning. Appropriate activities include introducing a research topic, development of the research question, additional research, data analysis and report writing, presentation of the report to the class and making recommendations for possible action, and…

Describes a new model of elementary teacher training at Western Washington University. Guided by college and public school faculty and students' preservice teachers learn how to use technology. This full-time certification program emphasizes current technology and intensive experience. A final project features students' producing useful projects…

Presents activities related to material included in the Winter 1997 "OAH Magazine of History" (v11 n2). The activities are linked to photographs appearing in the theme issue on labor history. Activities include discussion questions and writing assignments related to the photographs. (MJP)

Suggests that school books present a hidden curriculum that restricts the thinking and learning of students, that the high rate of U.S. illiteracy can be attributed to the method by which reading has been taught since World War II, and that encouraging students to read "real" books will ultimately improve the quality of education. (LP)

The Morocco Literacy Survey, which directly assessed various individual competencies, and a self-report were completed by 8,050 Moroccans in 2,240 households. Analysis of age cohorts revealed that Morocco halved illiteracy in the past three decades, but rural-urban and gender disparities widened. Literacy classification by self-report or…

Presents an interesting look at Thanksgiving, clearing up a number of misconceptions and providing a collection of interesting facts about the holiday. Includes series of humorous quotes from students concerning the nature and origin of Thanksgiving, as well as the address for an article providing more information. (MJP)

Includes three reports: one from "Library Journal" that reviews significant issues of the year, including budget reversals; Internet filtering, digital copyright, distance education, and electronic books; one that discusses school librarianship, including staffing, collection development, and information literacy; and one that discusses…