Provides a clear and succinct introduction to teaching the language arts to elementary students Key Features Focuses on integrating the six language arts—reading, writing, listening, speaking, viewing, and visually representing—with other subject areas Provides guidance on differentiating instruction to bring out the best in the rapidly growing number of students with special needs and English language learners in the regular classroom Includes a detailed lesson plan in each chapter along with instructional activities and techniques to integrate the language arts across all the subjects in the elementary curriculum Accompanied by High-Quality Ancillaries! Student Resource CD: Bundled with the book, this CD includes video clips and discussion questions that correlate with important chapter concepts. This interactive study site provides practice tests, flashcards, chapter summaries, links to NCTE/IRA and state-specific Language Arts standards, and much more. Instructor Resources on CD: Available by contacting SAGE Customer Care at 1-800-818-SAGE (7243), this CD for instructors offers resources such as lecture outlines, PowerPoint slides, a test bank, and sample syllabi for semester and quarter courses. Intended Audience This book is intended for undergraduate and graduate courses in elementary language arts methods, which teaches pre-service teachers and licensure/certification candidates specifically how to teach their students the basics of the six language arts – reading, writing, listening, speaking, viewing, and visually representing.

Table of Contents:
PART I. FOUNDATIONS OF THE LANGUAGE ARTS 1. Language and the English Language Arts The Standards for the English Language Arts Language Arts: Components/Integration Functions and Characteristics of Language Language Structure Language and Thought Assessment Working With English Language Learners Practical Instructional Activities and Ideas Integration Across the Curriculum Parents as Partners Additional Professional Readings Children?s Literature Cited in the Narrative References 2. Children as Language Learners and Thinkers Models of Natural Language Learning First-Language Acquisition Second-Language Acquisition Linguistically Diverse Learners Positive Language Classroom Environments Assessment Working With English Language Learners Practical Instructional Activities and Ideas Integration Across the Curriculum Parents as Partners Additional Professional Readings Children?s Literature Cited in the Narrative References 3. Formal and Authentic Assessment Principles and Purposes of the Assessment of the Language Arts Formal Assessment: Standardized Testing Authentic Assessment: What, Why, and How Authentic Assessment: Grading Assessment Working With English Language Learners Practical Instructional Activities and Ideas Integration Across the Curriculum Parents as Partners Additional Professional Readings Children?s Literature Cited in the Narrative References 4. Integrating Language Arts Across Curriculum Integration: Definition, Principles, and Benefits Thematic Units: Overview Constructing a Thematic Unit Implementing a Thematic Unit Assessment Working With English Language Learners Practical Instructional Activities and Ideas Integration Across the Curriculum Parents as Partners Additional Professional Readings Children?s Literature Cited in the Narrative References PART II. READING AS A LANGUAGE ART 5. Word Recognition Skills and Vocabulary Development Word Recognition Skills Vocabulary Development Assessment Working With English Language Learners Practical Instructional Activities and Ideas Integration Across the Curriculum Parents as Partners Additional Professional Readings Children?s Literature Cited in the Narrative References 6. Reading: Principles, Approaches, Comprehension, and Fluency Principles of Teaching Reading Emergent Reading Major Instructional Approaches Models of Reading Guided Reading Comprehension: Categories and Influential Factors Comprehension Strategies Questioning: A Critical Comprehension Strategy Sorting Out Comprehension ?Problems? Reading in the Content Areas Fluency Assessment Working With English Language Learners Practical Instructional Activities and Ideas Integration Across the Curriculum Parents as Partners Additional Professional Readings Children?s Literature Cited in the Narrative References 7. Reading and Children?s Literature Literature in Elementary Education: Values and Functions What Literature Does for Readers and Writers Children?s Needs and Reading Interests Criteria and Sources for Selecting Quality Books Elements of Literature Literature Genres Bibliotherapy: Books That Help Children Cope Living in a Diverse World: Multicultural Literature and International Literature Instructional Activities Literature Circles: A Popular Interpretive Activity Assessment Working With English Language Learners Practical Instructional Activities and Ideas Integration Across the Curriculum Parents as Partners Additional Professional Readings Children?s Literature Cited in the Narrative References PART III. WRITING AS A LANGUAGE ART 8. Writing: Process, Genres, and Motivational Strategies Guidelines for the Teaching of Writing Factors Affecting Children?s Writing Performance Emergent Writing Abilities Needed for Effective Writing The Writing Process Writing Genres Motivational Strategies That Promote Writing Writing Development Through the Grades Samples of Children?s Writing Assessment Working With English Language Learners Practical Instructional Activities and Ideas Integration Across the Curriculum Parents as Partners Additional Professional Readings Children?s Literature Cited in the Narrative References 9. Writing Tools: Handwriting, Keyboarding, Spelling, and Grammar Handwriting and Keyboarding Spelling Grammar Assessment Working With English Language Learners Practical Instructional Activities and Ideas Integration Across the Curriculum Parents as Partners Additional Professional Readings Children?s Literature Cited in the Narrative References 10. The Writers? Workshop Essentials of the Workshop Implementing Writers? Workshop First Major Component of the Workshop Session: Focus Lessons Second Major Component of the Workshop Session: Independent Writing Time Third Major Component of the Workshop Session: Share Time Assessment Working With English Language Learners Practical Instructional Activities and Ideas Integration Across the Curriculum Parents as Partners Additional Professional Readings Children?s Literature Cited in the Narrative References PART IV. ORAL LANGUAGE ARTS 11. Listening and Speaking Listening Speaking Assessment Working With English Language Learners Practical Instructional Activities and Ideas Integration Across the Curriculum Parents as Partners Additional Professional Readings Children?s Literature Cited in the Narrative References 12. Creative Drama Benefits of Creative Drama Qualities and Components of Creative Drama Major Types of Creative Drama Assessment Working With English Language Learners Practical Instructional Activities and Ideas Integration Across the Curriculum Parents as Partners Additional Professional Readings Children?s Literature Cited in the Narrative References Appendix: Technology Connections for the Language Arts Index