Explores the three broad thrusts of literature curricula, noting that no test can cover all three. Discusses how the content and objectives of the literature curriculum can be specified and how test questions can be developed for the evaluation of literature comprehension. (HTH)

Discusses materials in the ERIC system concerning knowledge or schemata children have when they come to class, behaviors a teacher may observe, and suggestions teachers can keep in mind when planning creative activities that support children's meaning-making efforts. (HTH)

Discusses materials in the ERIC system that deal with the concept of scaffolding, building on children's natural language, and ways teachers have translated the concept into instructional strategies. (HTH)

Discusses ERIC resources on the ways reading teachers can work with parents to enhance school age children's literacy in the home. (HTH)

Presents the opposing viewpoints on grammar study, phonics and whole language instruction, and the role of information in English language arts. (SRT)

Cites ERIC materials describing how music in the classroom can help improve reading readiness, recall, and creative writing. (HTH)

Reviews several studies from the ERIC system that deal with the relationship between listening and reading skills and suggests resources for teaching listening skills. (GT)

Discusses materials in the ERIC system exploring the effect of teacher attitudes toward student dialects on student language performance. Suggests that teachers recognize the relationship between cultural identity and language use to clear away obstacles to student success. (HTH)

Cites materials in the ERIC system dealing with the importance of using good literature for children's reading materials, as well as suggestions to help teachers bring children and good books together. (HTH)

Cites materials in the ERIC system concerning research on classroom communication and its implications, and notes some of the problems with that research. (HTH)

Examines materials in the ERIC system offering teaching ideas and activities designed to promote critical and creative thinking and reading. Discusses the role of teacher questioning techniques and writing to structure thoughts. (HTH)

Examines ERIC materials on the nature of and supporting the use of invented spelling in elementary school writing. (HTH)

Examines materials in the ERIC database on the characteristics of the reluctant writer, the effect of apprehension on writing performance, and teaching strategies to encourage writing proficiency. (HTH)

Presents research showing that spelling is a complex developmental process and that once the stages of development are identified, teachers can help students to develop strategies for learning standard English spelling, and they can assess students' progress more accurately. (SRT)

Discusses three studies that deal with instructional suggestions related to cross-age tutoring, the use of analogies, and some rethinking of a common testing practice--out-of-level testing for disabled readers. (FL)