This article shares a selected number of research-evidenced and field-tested playful oral language learning activities (POLLAs) for early childhood educators to engage English learners (ELs) and their peers in focused oral language practices. These activities are easy to infuse in existing curricula.

Discusses how daily routines in early childhood and primary grade settings can assist young children's developing understanding of time. Notes adaptable activities, including tracking weather, keeping records, talking about activities, creating time lines, celebrating personal milestones, and recording events and changes. Lists ways to integrate…

Describes how educators and families can foster children's sense of responsibility. Activities noted include interactions that support responsibility, such as asking questions that enable children to see some responsible choices; strategies that encourage learning, such as offering challenging, engaging learning opportunities in an interactive…

Suggests that when teachers study their children in systematic ways to enhance classroom management, they are participating in action research. Discusses how data for action research are collected, for example teacher diaries and student portfolios. Presents two examples of action research: one on block play and the other on curriculum…

Discusses parents' responses to open-ended questions about changes in early elementary programs initiated by the Kentucky Education Reform Act. Changes include ungraded primary programs and student progress reports to parents. (BB)

Relates one kindergarten teacher's experiences while participating in a research project on the incorporation of portfolio assessments into student progress reports to parents. (BB)

Describes a seven-year-old boy's activity of drawing pictures of his favorite sport of basketball. The boy's drawing involved the use of proportional reasoning, which requires an understanding of how relationships between objects vary systematically. (BB)

Profiles a very perceptive teacher of transition and first grade classes and three of his insightful students. The profile illustrates how mathematics is embedded in the activities of everyday life, including playground activities, and how teachers can help young children learn to think as mathematicians think. (BB)

Describes the ways in which primary grade science teachers can use hands-on scientific activities to answer children's questions about science. In such activities, children discover and experiment with materials and objects to understand scientific ideas and processes. Suggests that teachers should encourage children's curiosity. (BB)

The story of a six-year-old boy's use of language, art, and mathematics is used to describe a mathematics literacy curriculum. Educators' current views about mathematical literacy are briefly discussed. (BB)

Describes a Lexington, Kentucky, kindergarten science project that employed the Reggio Emilia approach of long-term open-ended projects steered by children's interests and group discussions. The children's investigation of how caterpillars make cocoons included direct observation of the metamorphosis process, construction of child-sized cocoons,…

Reviews "Favorites, Friendships, Food, and Fantasy: Literature-Based Thematic Units for Early Primary" (A. Lukasevich and F. Pieronek), a two-volume publication that presents four literature-based thematic units for use in the language arts curriculum. The units are designed to be used sequentially in 12- or 15-day segments, and each lesson has 4…

Describes a block play activity undertaken in a kindergarten through second-grade multiage classroom, in which children used blocks and various other props to construct and operate an imaginary snack shop. Discusses the benefits of block play and guidelines for teachers to follow in establishing block play activities. (MDM)

Illustrates one seven-year-old boy's understanding of mathematical relationships through drawings of his favorite "superheroes." Also illustrates how he conveyed the qualities of his heroes by weaving together the three symbol systems of language, art, and mathematics. (BB)

Describes the popularity of a first grader who is put back into a kindergarten class due to poor reading skills. Notes how the kindergartners consider the new boy a window onto the first grade and marvel at his skills in various classroom activities. Reflects on the lessons learned about the caring, safe environment of the classroom community.…