Topic: Research Elementary School Style

10-second review: How help students complete a research project? Students select subject. Begin with dictionary. Use table of contents and index to see if available books deal with the subject. Skim pages on which subject is supposed to be dealt with. Prepare reference cards. Record info in their own words.

Source: RE Sabaroff. Elementary English. 398. Elementary English preceded Language Arts as the elementary school publication of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE).

Comment: These steps taken in the fifth and sixth grades are extremely important. However, the author does not say anything about the format for the elementary school research paper. RayS.

Topic: Research-based Characteristics of Successful Reading Instruction

Topic: Research-based Characteristics of Successful Reading Instruction

One-minute review:

Direct instruction in phonemic awareness.

Explicit, systematic phonics instruction.

Instruction in fluency.

Direct and indirect vocabulary instruction.;

Comprehension strategies instruction.

Provide direct instruction that includes.

Making learning goals clear.

Asking questions to monitor student understanding and providing feedback to students about their progress.

Modeling and direct explanation to teach students strategies.

Coaching teaching style vs. telling.

Engage students in higher level responses.

Source: BM Taylor, et al. Reading Research Quarterly (January/February/March 2005), 44-45. A publication of the International Reading Association (IRA).

Comment: This list of research-based traits of successful reading instruction could provide an interesting discussion. What does “coaching teaching style” mean? How is “direct explanation” different from “telling?” What exactly is meant by “modeling”? How do you define “phonemic awareness” and how do you use direct instruction in teaching it? How do you make “learning goals” clear? I have my own answers to these questions, but I’m not sure others would agree. RayS.

Topic: Children's Books

10-second review: How are picture books changing? Growing importance of nonfiction picture books.

Source: CD Wolfenberger and LB Sipe. Language Arts (January 2007), 276. The elementary school publication of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE).

Comment: And many of these nonfiction picture books are outstanding. RayS.

Topic: Fiction vs. Nonfiction in Elementary Schools

10-second review: Author is disturbed by the overemphasis in elementary schools on fiction vs. nonfiction.

Source: P Colman. Language Arts (January 2007), 257-268. Elementary school publication of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE).

Comment: This complaint has been made a number of times in the past. I’m surprised that the overemphasis on fiction is still a problem in 2007, especially with the emphasis on whole language and the use of trade books instead of basals. . RayS.

Topic: Books about Native Americans.

10-second review: Books about native Americans often reinforce false stereotypes. We need to find books about native Americans that present an accurate portrayal of their culture.

Source: D Reese. Language Arts (January 2007), 245-256. The elementary school publication of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE).

Comment: Start with the Internet: http://www.kporterfield.com/aicttw/excerpts/antibiasbooks.html. “Resources for Selecting Fair and Accurate American Indian Books for Libraries, Schools and Home.” RayS.

Topic: Response to Literature

10-second review: Encourage children to respond non-judgmentally to what they are reading as a basis for later judgments. They can do so in "reading journals" in which they discuss what they are thinking while they are reading.

Source: JF Copenhaver-Johnson, et al. Language Arts (January 2007), 234-244. A publication of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE).

Comment: I don’t know whether it matters all that much whether the students make judgments. Writing their responses as they read is a good idea. RayS.

Topic: Storytelling

10-second review: Where can you find stories for story telling? Tell stories based on chapters in children’s, YA and Adult books.

Source: M Garthwaite. Elementary English. 600-603. Elementary English was the elementary school publication before it was replaced by Language Arts, a publication of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE).

Comment: Will also encourage students to read the books. RayS.