Discusses a mystery novel ("The Butcher's Theater" by Jonathan Kellerman) in which one detective has a physical disability and another has a learning disability. Discusses how this novel and a specific read-aloud from it can create an awareness of what disabilities are and how to acknowledge them. Notes specific language-arts activities related to…

Profiles the shifting view of an effective literacy program for the middle years. Discusses results of a teacher survey that explored the gaps between this evolving view of effective middle years literacy programs and teachers' perceptions of their current practice. Concludes with a model of teacher support to bridge the gap between current and…

Studies a high school mathematics teacher's efforts to implement an effective math discussion activity. Shows that her successful use of the Socratic Seminars method improved students' attitudes toward reading mathematics; infused the language of math into the classes; and increased student participation in class as students became active learners…

Describes a workplace literacy project implemented at a hospital with help from a university and a literacy organization. Finds significant changes in all basic skill areas and improvement in job performance, attitude, and self-esteem. Argues that well-designed programs improve employee job performance when program success is closely linked to…

Describes a teaching strategy used in undergraduate reading/language arts methods classes that combines methods from case-based instruction and reader response to literature by using literature case studies--novels that contain school-based events and characters. Offers entries from undergraduate education students' literature logs to describe the…

Presents arguments for using picture books in middle-level classrooms, noting they can build connections to learning experiences for early adolescents in all the content areas. Offers some specific examples of books (listed by genre) that can be used in various curricular and interdisciplinary areas. (SR)

Outlines a four-step portfolio plan that takes into consideration the integrity of portfolios as measurement tools, and describes steps teachers can follow to reduce the frustration they may feel when they use portfolios in their literacy classrooms. Discusses planning the focus, selecting the content, adding materials and building a portfolio,…

Discusses why the classics can be difficult to teach in high schools. Offers suggestions for making difficult literature more approachable for high school students by scaffolding students' engagement with classic texts; building background knowledge; developing vocabulary; facilitating the reading of the text; and through enrichment an extension.…

Relates a story of the author teaching English as a foreign language in Morocco--the excitement her students felt upon (1) being given books of great American short stories; (2) reading together a story from the book; and (3) feeling the power of literature at work. (SR)

Offers suggestions to promote becoming a lifetime writer: build a positive professional attitude toward writing in school; provide extended blocks of time for writing; guide learners in a variety of writing experiences; help writers to "go public"; hand students over to authors through a visiting authors program; and invite parents to be partners…

Offers an overview of the various types of electronic journals available on the Web. Suggests strategies for finding journals on topics of interest. Familiarizes readers with six specific journals related to technology and literacy instruction as well as journals in which information on technology and literacy instruction can be regularly found.…

Describes how the writing process is the foundation for writing instruction in a seventh-grade class with full special education inclusion. Describes how daily writing, lots of choice, modeling, and examples of rich writing help all students move ahead to become better writers. (SR)

Argues that, through the use of quality literature about disabilities, classroom teachers can help create positive attitudes toward persons with disabilities and facilitate the successful inclusion of students with special needs into the regular classroom. Discusses the classroom teacher's role, selection criteria for the books, and classroom…

Describes how wordless books can help struggling and reluctant readers of all ages, linguistically and culturally different readers, and in cross-age tutoring programs. Discusses the teacher's role in using wordless books. Argues that, because of their visual appeal and lack of words, these books ensure successful reading experiences because they…

Describes how keeping a journal of four areas of concern helped a high school writing teacher implement changes in his teaching and discover what worked. Discusses how he used the journal to help him focus on implementing peer editing, teaching essay structure, improving student essay detail, and correcting essays more skillfully. (SR)