Reports a recent classroom analysis of Latino students who were doing well academically (as reflected both in teachers' assessments and in achievement tests). Finds that teachers were theoretically equipped, able to make curriculum judgments, and received support from colleagues. (MS)

Suggests that, among other things, language arts education enables a new generation not only to understand what is, but to ask what might be. (MS)

Recounts a boy's experiences with writing a story that helped him fulfill emotional needs. (MS)

Reviews the life and work of children's author and illustrator, Arnold Lobel. (MS)

Presents a sample lesson (on the Middle Ages) using movement, verbalization, and role playing to introduce students to drama and creative expression. Provides teachers with an in-depth look at a creative process through which they can stimulate learning across the curriculum. (ARH)

Suggests that drama provides an excellent opportunity for children to learn about history, especially children who have not yet reached the formal operational level of development. Describes a program coordinated with a historical museum in which children reenact a school day in 1888. (ARH)

Describes "story drama," a technique in which the texts of stories or novels are presented as plays, and shows how it can be used to teach content areas in elementary grades. (ARH)

Points out that if students are to learn to negotiate meaning, they must have opportunities to use a balanced combination of informational, expressive, and interactional language. Describes three teaching strategies which are important in nurturing a range of language in the drama classroom: questioning, reflecting, and teacher in role. (ARH)

Discusses the movement to provide a position for drama within the curriculum, opposition to the movement, and recent works which highlight the potential for drama in the language arts. Points out that drama teaches students to negotiate and create meaning. (ARH)

Presents an overview of research on classroom drama which shows that its use produces positive effects on children's reading, writing, and oral language. Suggests additional questions requiring exploration, and urges researchers to emphasize qualitative rather than quantitative analyses. (ARH)

Presents an autobiographical essay of editor Jean Karl, as well as appreciations by authors Phyllis Naylor and Lillian Moore. (ARH)

Discusses seven books and a film that can help teachers capitalize on the benefits of drama in the classroom. (ARH)

Two articles point out the importance of students' collaboration in the computer lab. The first describes two students' use of the word processor to write a story collaboratively. The second analyzes the dialogue of two students playing a computer game, showing that such games help students become better at planning and decision making. (ARH)

Notes that although fiction writing is a somewhat problematic part of upper elementary/middle school writing, it is important for children to be able to compose good fiction. Suggests two methods to benefit young writers: (1) expose them to a wide range of good fiction, and (2) preserve their right to create personal fictions. (NH)

Supports the argument that reading and writing ought to be taught together "so closely that students can't tell where one leaves off and the other begins" and seeks to persuade the reluctant teacher by (1) giving reasons for interweaving composition and literature seamlessly, and (2) outlining one procedure for doing so. (NH)