Describes how students can write and assemble monthly classroom calendar books. (MM)

Offers several brief creative writing activities that are quick, convenient, and encourage students to enjoy and play with words and ideas. Presents these ideas in a calendar format, one for the primary level and one for the intermediate level. (SR)

Suggests supplementary spelling activities involving selection of a phonetic element and construction of student-generated word lists. Designed for fifth graders, the activities can be adapted to any grade level. (CM)

Lists several classroom writing activities, including writing in sand, using letters cut from magazines and newspapers, and baking letter cookies. (HTH)

Outlines how teachers can motivate students and narrow the gap between school and home by using students' anecdotes about their families for reading or writing activities. Notes that this exercise also helps bridge the gap between spoken and written language. (MM)

Describes a writing activity in which students write and perform their own television shows. (MM)

Describes how students enjoy poetry by writing cinquain poems. Provides an example lesson leading to a completed cinquain poem about tulips. (MM)

Explains how to "carve" a text, rearranging or omitting words without altering the basic message. Notes that this exercise helps students become aware of how language can be manipulated for meaning. (MM)

Outlines a series of activities using story writing to teach first grade students about story structure. (MM)

Presents 18 writing stimulus ideas that are intended as jumping off points for student writing and are based on poems from "If I Were in Charge of the World (and other worries)" by Judith Viorst. Offers some general suggestions for using poems in the classroom. (SR)

Teachers can help elementary students cope at the beginning of the school year by assisting them in getting to know one another. Writing is a good tool for bridging the gap between personal and school lives. The article suggests writing activities and explains how to create a good writing environment. (SM)

Designed to meet the fundamental state standards and reform agreed upon by educators, this book, with its unique approach to writing, offers teachers an essential resource to spark creativity and skillful writing in all students. Each chapter in the book begins with a question, giving students a hands-on opportunity to explore a specific writing…

The author explains her practice of requiring each of her students to write her a weekly letter, which she answers. These private correspondences help her to understand the individuals in her class and give the students practice in letter writing. (SJL)

Describes how writing personal newsletters to parents helps students practice and master language arts skills in a meaningful context. Provides a sample information "web" for one of the newsletters. (MM)

An experienced teacher describes how to provide students with a real audience to motivate them to write. Suggestions include writing letters to make a difference in the community, preparing newsletters, compiling class literary magazines, and writing for local newspapers and businesses or for commercial children's magazines. (SM)