Points out the disadvantages and limitations of grading all student writing. Offers alternative methods of giving students meaningful feedback about their writing. (RL)

Shows how a teacher developed a pattern of responding to student writing. Lists 15 of her standard comments. (RL)

Notes the advantages of "staff grading," a procedure for student evaluation that distinguishes the teacher as a helper from the person who evaluates students and supplies a measure of growth in writing. (RL)

Offering information to help parents understand how writing is taught in classrooms that use the 6-Trait Model for writing assessment and writing instruction, this handbook describes the model and how parents can provide the kind of support at home that would make classroom instruction even more effective. Sections of the handbook are: "A…

Designed to identify and tabulate the various cohesive ties in writing, this instrument is a tabulation sheet for recording all instances of cohesive ties. The sheet includes columns for recording the cohesive word, the number of the sentence in which it appears, the referent of the cohesive word, and the number of the sentence in which it…

Describes a "focused holistic" method of writing evaluation, which considers a total piece of writing, but in terms of predefined criteria. Provides sample evaluations. (HTH)

Having writers ask questions about their own papers promotes commitment to the revising and proofreading process. Students can ask teachers or peers the following: (1) What do you like about my paper? (2) What questions do you have about my paper? (3) What kinds of polishing does my paper need? (RL)

The writing program described in this lesson plan guides students in grades 3 through 8 in composing cinquain poems, a five-line form that uses the syllable count of two-four-six-eight-two. During the two 50-minute lessons, students will: describe the basic conventions of cinquain; interpret examples of cinquain; characterize the relationship…

The quick-writing activity described in this lesson plan guides grades K-2 students to write a simple cinquain as a follow-up to a subject they have been exploring in class. During the one 60-minute lesson, students will: write a poem about another topic, using the cinquain graphic organizer or outline; use words learned in the current thematic…

Presents a check sheet used to grade a major report in a technical writing class. Indicates that the check sheet helps make grading more "even" over a period of time, allows students to know what will be evaluated on the report, and serves as a teaching tool for different types of reports. (TJ)

The creative writing program described in this lesson exposes middle school student to wordless picture books and helps them to develop story lines orally and in writing. During the four 45-minute lessons, students will: explore various wordless picture books; develop oral story lines for wordless picture books; develop written story lines for…

Although classroom assessment techniques resemble common writing exercises, they offer college composition instructors insight into effective instruction. Their use can also lead to classroom research projects and further faculty development. An example of such an exercise is to have students write a one-minute paper on classroom instruction in…

Suggesting that teachers combine moments of action, theory-building, inquiry, and planning as they respond to students' needs, this book addresses responsive teaching/learning, informed action, theory building, inquiry, and planning in the context of literacy instruction. Chapters in the book are: (1) Teaching/Learning and Literacy; (2) Developing…

Discusses need for development of keyboarding skills at the elementary school level; issues to be addressed when developing keyboarding curricula (criterion for competence, how much is necessary, time needed, who should teach and how); and program considerations (hardware, curriculum, principles of instruction, instructional periods, classroom or…

The persuasive writing program described in this lesson plan introduces grades 3 to 5 students to the basic concepts of lobbying for something that is important to them, making persuasive arguments, and applying the techniques of persuasive oral arguments to independent persuasive writing activities. During the four 40-minute lessons, students…