A ten-day plan for letting students create their own choose-a-plot books is given. Students develop skills in creating plot structures, coming up with logical story lines, and inventing striking characters. Instructions for adapting the plan to word processing programs are given. (MT)

A class newsletter can help students learn about each other while they gain important social, writing, and interviewing techniques. Computer programs to produce a newsletter, to do word processing, and to manage data are described. (MT)

Strategies developed by teachers for using word processing software in writing programs for grades K-6 are presented. These strategies will work with just one computer in a classroom. Two software programs are described. (MT)

Nine activities are suggested that are designed to help students develop skills in utilizing proofreading as an aid to good spelling. Included is a suggested list of word processing and other software which has spelling check features. (IAH)

Describes how personal digital assistants (PDAs) can help even the most reluctant young writers feel empowered. Designed to provide a one-computer-per-person ratio for an entire classroom, they offer interactive word processing at a low price. PDAs are useful because they are ready when the students are, they promote collaboration, and they make…

Proper software can turn a classroom computer into a teacher's productivity tool. Word processors, electronic spreadsheets, and filing and graphing programs make classroom and administrative duties less time consuming. (DF)

Language arts skills and writing projects can be combined with activities that teach the fundamentals of word processing to improve the language arts curriculum. Suggested lessons cover five writing and editing operations common to most word processing software. (DF)

Computerized word processing can be a valuable tool for writing instruction because the machines make it easier for students to properly revise and correct their work. Ways that teachers and students can use the machines are described, and problems, such as limited access to computer terminals and the necessity for students to type, are noted. (PP)

Presents two articles: "Your In-Class Communication Center" and "New Software Programs." The first suggests three ways for teachers to use their word processing program to generate standard forms, produce a class newsletter, and create a homework checklist for each student. The second presents information on software programs (grade level, focus,…

Three elementary teachers describe how they became involved in computer technology and the projects that caught their interest. One teacher used word processing to enhance students' writing abilities. Another used software to tailor learning to all levels. The third tried an international telecommunications program that allowed children to…