Language Arts

Mildred R. Donoghue - California State University, Fullerton, USA

Other Titles in:
Education | English | Teaching in Primary Schools

September 2008 | 480 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

Language Arts: Integrating Skills for Classroom Teaching provides a clear and succinct introduction to teaching the language arts to elementary students, focusing on integrating the six language arts with other subject areas. This practical, hands-on text adroitly incorporates the IRA/NCTE Standards and provides guidance on differentiating instruction to bring out the best in the rapidly growing numbers of students with special needs English Language Learners in the regular classroom.

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

"The pedagogical features are outstanding. Each one helps the reader understand the content and make connections to authentic teaching situations. The ideas are practical and helpful because they can be easily implemented in the classroom."

DeAnna M. Laverick

Indiana University of Pennsylvania

"Language Arts: Integrating Skills for Classroom Teaching supports teachers of language arts by providing a wealth of valuable resources, including sample lesson plans, instructional materials, recommendations for quality children’s literature, detailed descriptions of teaching strategies, and suggestions for meeting the needs of English language learners. The vignettes capture an authentic insider’s view on chapter topics; and together with the many resources, forge a connection between the theoretical and research base and the practical application of concepts."

DeAnna M. Laverick

Indiana University of Pennsylvania

"[The instructors' resources] are all nice features. As an instructor, having access to sample test questions, particularily ones that are similar to what students will experience on the PRAXIS tests are essential."

Sara Runge-Pulte, Ed.D.

Northern Kentucky University

"I really love this textbook. It has great coverage, is reader friendly, and has a great approach to integration."

Jeff L. Whittingham

University of Central Arkansas

"I like the easy read style, with anecdotes, lesson plans, charts and tables."

Roxanne Forgrave

Olivet Nazarene University

Adoption Reply Card

"Instructor’s resources were helpful. The book is up-to-date and comprehensive."

Karren Timmermans

Pacific University

The book is excellent and the difference in the price of this book and the text I have been using is about 50% less. I have known of Donoghue’s writing of Language Arts Texts for a number of years and find that she is always up-to-date on this subject area. Her current book is excellent!

C. Glennon Rowell, Professor of Language Arts and Former Dean of Education

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

This was a welcomed book in a few of my lessons as some of my students wish to become teachers. It has great lesson planning, ideas and tips.

Miss Naomi Whale

childcare, City of Bath College

April 19, 2013

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This text is a very thorough examination of the language arts, and will be used for the fall 2011 semester in my Language Arts Methods course.

Professor N. Onuora

Education Dept, Millikin University

June 13, 2011

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