Suggesting that students in the intermediate grades can explore the world around them and practice valuable skills in spelling, reading, writing, communication, and language, this book presents cross-curricular units designed to integrate language-arts activities into the study of Central and South American cultures. The units in the book reach…

Suggesting that students in the intermediate grades can explore the world around them and practice valuable skills in spelling, reading, writing, communication, and language, this book presents cross-curricular units designed to integrate language-arts activities into the study of Asian and Australian cultures. The units in the book reach diverse…

The purpose of this study is to reexamine the relationship between PSAT/NMSQT scores and AP Examination grades using more recent test data in order to obtain additional validation evidence for using the PSAT/NMSQT to identify AP students. PSAT/NMSQT data from October 2000 and October 2001 and AP data from May 2002 and May 2003 were analyzed. The…

People write because they have something to say, when they have a rich experience to share, or when they have ideas to clarify and record. Effective writers learn how to communicate. This applies to adults as well as children. Teaching writing is about building on the language skills that children bring with them to school. Pupils need a rich…

In connection with the new SAT that was introduced in March 2005, research has been under way to investigate the feasibility of providing examinees with score reports that contain feedback on skills measured by the critical reading, mathematics, and writing sections of the test. The main purpose of this study was to estimate the reliability of the…

A teacher of students with learning disabilities used journals to encourage students to write. She allowed them to choose their topics, and she created ongoing conversations with them through the journals. As students' interest in writing increased, their journals helped them resolve conflicts, express frustrations, and hone language arts skills.…

Maintains that a shift in the practice of literacy such as is suggested by the term, "literacy online," has epochal significance. The death of one world and its replacement by something else signals a change in civilization. Online literacy is likely to entail a radical reworking of all the most basic terms and practices of our print-based…

Compares the effects of an enriched syllabus including extensive reading and frequent writing assignments on English descriptive writing performance at four form levels for Cantonese-speaking students participating in three English programs: (1) regular plus unrelated (mathematics) enrichment; (2) regular plus extensive reading; and (3) regular…

Effects of reading instruction maximizing students' cognitive engagement on Grade 1 to 5 reading achievement were examined over a school year for students in 9 high-poverty schools. Hierarchical linear modeling showed that several teaching variables explained substantial variation in reading achievement growth. The most consistent finding was that…

Encourages caregivers to engage children in oral language activities that will help children develop skills necessary for reading and writing. Examines: (1) oral language as a predecessor to reading; (2) talking leading to learning; and (3) rich oral environment as a scaffold. Concludes with examples of oral-language activities for infants,…

Provides a mosaic of teachers' opinions on teaching literacy through social studies. All of the teachers interviewed felt a strong responsibility for improving their students' reading skills. Many of them revealed specific approaches and strategies for accomplishing this. (MJP)

Discusses three studies: (1) the effectiveness of semantic analyses of written narratives of students with hearing losses in determining language ability; (2) written-language characteristics of writers matched by reading abilities alone and matched by reading ability and age; and (3) written-language characteristics of writers with hearing…

Presents a lesson plan that uses subordinating conjunctions and prepositions as "magic words." After a lesson or unit of study, students write content specific sentences using the "magic" conjunctions and prepositions. This activity serves as a unit review, helps with concept formation, and increases writing skills. (MJP)

Provides a sequence of skills development from grades 9 through 12 for students who are taking advanced-level courses. The skills are sequenced through a program that includes ninth grade government and geography, tenth grade world history, and eleventh and twelfth grade Advanced Placement history courses. (GG)

Presents a writing method which allows students to reflect upon issues and ideas and thus encourage understanding and retention of social studies content. Divides the writing process into prewriting, composing, and postwriting, and offers techniques for each element. Includes methods for evaluating student efforts. (LS)