Presents descriptions and examples of processes used by French-as-a-Second-Language instructors to teach vocabulary, reporting qualitative analyses of classroom transcripts and pedagogical materials used to teach. Teachers emphasized semantic aspects of lexis; lexical instruction in analytic and experiential classes was characterized by similar…

Interviews with 56 deaf college students resulted in accounts of 839 "critical incidents" describing effective and ineffective teaching. Thirty-three specific teaching characteristics were identified. The teacher's ability to communicate clearly in sign language was the most frequently occurring characteristic of effective teaching identified.…

Study examined the content and form of elementary students' discussions in cooperative groups. Researchers recorded group discussions during whole language literacy instruction. Across classrooms, much verbal interaction was oriented toward academic and procedural talk, although the cognitive level of the discussions was low. Some grade level and…

Investigates children's early lexical development in English and Korean and compares caregivers' linguistic input in the two languages. Results indicate that young Korean children use verbs productively with appropriate inflections and that, unlike in English, both verbs and nouns in Korean are dominant categories from the single-word stage. (39…

Examines the uses of technology at Yujin Gakuen, a public elementary-level Japanese language immersion school located in Eugene, Oregon. Discusses goals that can be achieved through cooperative learning and instructional technology use, equipment and software, areas in which technology training and integration takes place, the role of educators,…

This article describes the nature and treatment of functional voice disorders in adolescents. It summarizes physiological and psychological changes that occur in adolescence; types of functional voice disorders common to that period; incidence; and possible causes, including risk factors. Three case studies illustrate the importance of careful…

Sixty middle school students, half average-achieving and half with learning disabilities (LD), were assigned to either a positive or neutral mood induction condition prior to receiving instruction in elementary Hindi language (to control for effects of prior knowledge). Across a two-week period, the LD students in the positive condition performed…

Describes the origins, design, and students of the honors program at the University of California at Irvine. Over half the honors program students are foreign born and over half use English as a second language. The program encourages development of leadership skills and provides a supportive academic community within a growing research university…

Presents six articles on brain research and child development: "Brain Research, Infant Learning, and Child Care Curriculum" (J. R. Lally); "The Thinking Brain" (P. Schiller); "Early Experiences Shape Social Development" (B. Caldwell); "Facing the Challenge of Motor Development" (P. Weikart); Language…

A junior high school English teacher explains how she managed to teach gifted and talented students in a mixed-ability classroom. She discovered the importance of taking "baby steps" (allowing independent study), varying learning activities, raising the bar for everyone, and discovering her students' passions. (MLH)

The present study involving 100 kindergartners provides clinicians with a practical tool for the assessment of invented spelling in kindergartners using the Invented Spelling subtest on the Early Reading Screening Instrument. Interpretations of assessment profiles are suggested, and guidelines for the development of intervention goals are…

Discusses 11 books that present thought-provoking ideas to help classroom teachers, parents, and administrators understand the world of developing literacy. Addresses a variety of professional books ranging from texts that focus on issues of race, to books that take up emergent literacy, to texts on beginning teaching. (SR)

Argues that "love of reading" should be listed as the top goal of the English curriculum, but that teaching the classics has the opposite effect. Argues that reading and analytical skills can be taught using contemporary teenage fiction that holds students' interest, helps them feel understood, and teaches them about life. Lists numerous books…

Discusses "Smoke Signals" (a 1998 award-winning film) and "The Owl's Song" (a 1974 novel), both of which feature young adult American Indian protagonists. Suggests instructional strategies for teaching these works in tandem. Argues that teaching these works informs students about relevant literary, historical, social, and cultural topics in ways…

Describes a seventh and eighth grade social studies unit on the Civil War that incorporates language arts. The unit addresses the four levels of perspective development. Aims to provide students with a better understanding of the Civil War and develop students' personal perspectives. (CMK)