Relates the experiences of a tenth grader as she has grown up keeping a journal and what purposes the journal has served. (SRT)

Presents findings of ethnographic research on children's talk and behavior, specifically routines in spontaneous peer play and verbal routines in structured activities. Concludes that instructional strategies should incorporate some of the features of children's play routines and peer culture. (SRT)

Illustrates how the author's experiences as a child, parent, teacher, storyteller, and woman have influenced both her understanding of the reading process and the way she teaches reading and writing. Claims that each role provides her with different information and a unique perspective. (JD)

Reviews the major theoretical statements regarding the contribution of literature to reading development, noting that they fall into two interwoven strands: the notion of learning to read through literature, and learning to read literature. Evaluates the empirical evidence supporting the claim that literature plays an important role in learning to…

Records the attempts of a very young child to construct his own understanding of what it means to die and of the social impact of death within his own culture. Includes transcripts in which the child uses narrative to frame his first, tentative ideas about death and responds to literature to further extend his understanding. (JD)

Claims that the way people symbolize their experiences in speaking, listening, and writing can help them to understand literature and, ultimately, their personal life experiences. Claims that making meaning is fundamental to all language learning and that reading literature is analogous to other language learning experiences. (JD)

Records the progress of an educationally disadvantaged immigrant child in a literacy workshop for fifth graders, including the teacher's observations of what the child read and wrote. Claims that writing requires more attention in the classroom to help children develop a coherent mental picture of themselves and their place in the world. (JD)

Discusses how David Booth's ability to elicit both commitment and authenticity in children's creation of improvised dramas distinguishes him as a teacher. Describes various phases and aspects of a drama lesson given to a group of fourth, fifth, and sixth graders that demonstrate his powerful teaching technique called "story-drama." (JD)

Claims that literacy and literature become interrelated in classrooms where there are many opportunities to engage in the narrative mode of thought. Discusses how the potential of literacy/literature experiences is enriched when students draw from the narrative reservoirs of the community and school. (JD)

Discusses research supporting the connections between (1) early reading proficiency and listening to literature at a young age and (2) the nature of children's interactions with books before they read and later reading achievement. Indicates that story telling in the classroom represents a critical link between literature and literacy. (JD)

Relates the author's experiences in his first few years as a primary teacher in Ontario, Canada, struggling for survival in the face of bureaucracy and questioning his choice of profession. Claims that most teachers go through a similar reexamination process as they face the realities of their work and develop professionally. (JD)

Examines a number of language activities in educational software, noting that most focus on surface structure and conventions, thus closing off students' options rather than expanding them. Discusses how, by improvising with word processors, teachers can tailor activities to help students explore and reflect on their reading and writing…

Discusses (1) the practice of giving examinations and how this contradicts current theory about the writing process, (2) how students spontaneously became involved in reading and writing activities, and (3) the implications of not teaching traditional grammar. (SRT)

Argues that "empowering" as a philosophy of education must balance its commitments to personal growth and to society, recognizing that just as personal power is primary and prerequisite to synergy so personal growth is prerequisite to societal contribution. (SRT)

Examines what is not discussed in schools and how "undesirable" talk is subverted, appropriated, and exported. Defines silencing as a process of institutionalized policies and practices that obscure the social, economic, and experiential conditions of students' daily lives and that expels critical talk about these conditions. (SRT)