Reasons for the increased interest in "self-access" learning in language classrooms are explored, particularly the shift from teacher-centered to learner-centered learning. Ways that a Malaysian teachers college set up a self-access learning center are described. (Contains seven references.) (LB)

Reviews four books on issues and concerns surrounding kindergarten entrance requirements, assessment, and curriculum: (1) "Kindergarten Policies: What Is Best for Children" (Peck and others); (2) "Changing Kindergartens: Four Success Stories (Goffin and Stealing, Eds.); (3) "Teaching Kindergarten: A Developmentally Appropriate Approach" (Walmsley…

Presents research relative to importance of language in psychosocial development and skill acquisition as well as diagnostic classification of language disorders. Reviews research that explores comorbidity relative to relationship between language disorders and learning disability. Examines high comorbidity of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity…

Discusses a child-centered science project in which first-grade students integrate design drawing, construction, mathematics, and language arts to solve engineering problems related to constructing robots. Describes the construction of the robots, follow-up activities, and educational research that supports this approach to teaching. (10…

Research on cognitive representation of numbers and understanding of place value of U.S. and Japanese first graders was extended to France, Sweden, and Korea (118 subjects; approximately 24 from each of the 5 countries). Basic differences in children's cognitive representations of number are influenced by characteristics of their languages. (SLD)

Study of 122 9th- and 10th-grade Latino high school students examined the relationship of language brokering (informal interpreting for immigrant parents) to academic performance, biculturalism, academic self-efficacy, and social self-efficacy. Results showed positive relationships, with academic self-efficacy being the strongest predictor of…

In this study, 148 Hispanic Americans with schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety disorders were interviewed in English, Spanish, or both. Hispanic clinicians rated symptoms more severely than did Anglo clinicians, and severity was rated highest in bilingual interviews, followed by Spanish, and lowest in English. Implications for diagnosis and…

Describes a community project (based on Kenneth Koch's book "I Never Told Anybody") in which students in a ninth-grade English class paired up with nursing home residents, making regular visits to encourage them to write poetry. Discusses finding a place, getting ready, working together, and what students learned about writing poetry and about…

Examined two hypotheses regarding reading skill development--the script-dependent hypothesis and the central processing hypothesis--by studying the linguistic, cognitive, and basic reading skills of 70 children in grades 1 through 5 learning to read in English (first language) and Persian (second language) concurrently. Findings supported both…

Argues that language is the primary vehicle through which stereotyping is perpetuated. Outlines assignments that offer students an opportunity to explore gender stereotyping, to learn to recognize and combat gender bias, and to treat others equally, regardless of gender. Notes also some statewide programs that address these issues and help…

Describes a mystery unit designed for a heterogeneous grouping of eighth-grade students that involves the disciplines of science and language arts. Addresses students' interests and connects naturally with language arts and science curriculum. (DDR)

Describes a university/school partnership in which teacher-education students at the university responded via e-mail to the writing of 6th graders, resulting in advances for writers and teachers of writing. (SR)

A first-grade teacher investigated the use of daily poetry readings to help students develop certain characteristics of skilled readers, including fluency and comprehension. Students in a class receiving poetry-reading instruction had higher comprehension scores and reading levels than students in a control class receiving basal-reader…

Describes a professional-development model implemented by a university and five inner-city elementary schools with high language-minority populations. The model involved volunteer primary-grade teachers trained in an integrated/language arts approach, regular contact with participating teachers, and establishment of collegial teams to provide peer…

One college teacher has devised a method of peer assessment of student presentations that has decreased the spread of grades given to individuals by other class members and enhanced the correlation of peer and teacher assessments. Four aspects of the presentation are graded: knowledge; body language; voice; and overall effect. (Author/MSE)