Multimodal text types hold promise for promoting classroom discourse. Because of the ways that language combines with various other modes such as sound and movement, video-based texts can offer access points for meaning-making and engagement that print-only text cannot. Through the lens of New Literacies, this mixed methods study examines one…

Choosing a writing topic poses a particularly serious challenge for young learners. Topic selection affects all other steps of the writing process. Therefore, the writing topic should be related to a subject that the student knows about, is interested in, and can produce content on. Basing writing on students' immediate environment and experiences…