Language Arts, Vol. 77, No. 2, November 1999

Table of Contents

Issue Theme: Collaborations

• Telling Stories through Writing and Dance: An Integenerational Project

  Laura Apol and Tina Kambour

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  Abstract: Shares the story of how dance and writing brought together a group of elderly and high-school-age women, through a 12-week program that used dance and writing to draw from personal stories and to inspire personal expression.

  Keywords: Pedagogy, Elementary

• Parents and Teachers as Readers: The Book Club as Meeting Place

  Joan Zaleski, Lori Duvall and Chris Weil

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  Abstract: Describes the attempt to reinitiate conversation and dialogue between teachers and parents through a Book Club called "Parents and Teachers as Readers" in which teachers and parents from one elementary school came together to read and discuss children's books. Looks at how assumptions regarding teaching, parenting, and reading became topics of the group.

  Keywords: Pedagogy, Reading, Elementary

• Summer Reading: A Reflection

  Sara S. Mushegian

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  Abstract: Recounts the author's family's summer reading and how she used it as an opportunity to talk with her children about books and, ultimately, about life.

  Keywords: Pedagogy, Reading, Elementary

• Negotiating Roles in Collaborative Literacy Research: Re-examining Issues of Power and Equity

  Karen S. Evans

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  Abstract: Describes the collaboration in a 5th-grade classroom between the author (a teacher educator) and a former student of hers (the 5th-grade teacher). Complicates notions of equity and empowerment in collaborative research by outlining the cycles and shifts they experienced while constantly renegotiating their positions.

  Keywords: Pedagogy, Research, Elementary, Middle

• Just a Jacket on the Floor?

  Carole Miller, Alison Preece and Joanne O'Mara

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  Abstract: Describes a drama lesson in which a class of grade-one students spent one and a half hours engaged with second-year elementary education student teachers. Illustrates the power of drama to deeply engage students in a range of language arts activities.

  Keywords: Pedagogy, Elementary, Middle

• Working Together Separately: A Research collaborative Reflects on the Meaning of Collaboration for Children

  Kathleen Hinchman, Alice Boljonis, Diane Haun, Janet Heinrich, Ellen Molinari, Suzanne Ryan, and Jane Woodward

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  Abstract: Presents the authors' varying perspectives as teacher researchers reflecting on their first-time implementation of a cross-age, primary-grade literacy project. Identifies several themes as important sites of difference among the teacher-researchers.

  Keywords: Pedagogy, Research, Elementary, Middle, Secondary

• Why Systematic Phonics and Phonemic Awareness Instruction Constitute an Educational Hazard

  Frank Smith

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  Abstract: Frank Smith argues that systematic phonics is destined to fail as a method of reading instruction and will make learning to read more difficult for many children. Phonics-focused instruction fails to understand or ignores how children actually learn to read; the time to learn phonics, if at all, is during reading; and phonemic awareness is spurious. Smith reveals the ideological and commercial focus of such methods.

  Keywords: Reading, Elementary

• Theory and Practice: An Interview with Louise M. Rosenblatt

  Nicholas J. Karolides

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  Abstract: Louise Rosenblatt discusses teaching methods, reading processes, application of theory to practice, literature-based curriculum, and what she is working on now in this interview.

  Keywords: Literature, Pedagogy, Reading, Elementary

• 1999 Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts

  Notable Children's Books Committee

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  Abstract: Presents brief descriptions of 1999's list of Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts: 30 children's trade books published in 1998 chosen for their outstanding potential to enhance language awareness among students in grades K-8.

  Keywords: Literature, Reading, Elementary

• Editors’ Pages

  Sharon Murphy and Curt Dudley-Marling

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  Abstract: Abstract for this article is currently not available.

  Keywords: Elementary

• Letter to the Editors

  Kathleen R. Mikulka and Denny Taylor

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  Abstract: Abstract for this article is currently not available.

  Keywords: Elementary

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