Writing is a complex and learned activity in that it requires us to shape our thoughts into words and texts that are appropriate for the purpose, audience and medium of a variety of communicative forms. Writers must constantly make decisions about how to represent their subject matter and themselves through language. In this way, writing can be…

Over the past 30 years, writing workshops have been implemented in classrooms around the world. Students are being asked to write across multiple contexts and genres and to use digital technologies. At the same time, high-stakes writing tests are increasing even though the time teachers spend teaching writing is decreasing. This study examines…

Research suggests that experts and beginners use qualitatively different writing processes when given the same text to write. Throughout their writing, experts tend to create a network of executive, structural, and content problems that they continually refine and coordinate as they bring the text to fruition. Novices, in contrast, tend to focus…

Teaching students to become readers who can work with an author to "build" a text requires a better understanding of the nature of the author-reader relationship. This essay discusses the rights and responsibilities of that relationship by presenting writing and reading as a rhetorical situation--an interaction between author,…

In attempting to define postmodernism, many search for a "neat central core" (Beck, 1993) thus attempting to universalize all postmodern theories and operate "within the modern obsession with control and reason" (Slattery, 2000: 137). In this article, I refrain from attempting a universal definition, but instead present an exploration of the most…

Describes techniques used in a 9-week unit in creative writing for elementary school children. Emphasizes the importance of learning that thinking, reading, and writing are facets of the same processes. Lists readings and books to read aloud and imitate. (DMM)

Discusses the roles that writers must assume during the writing process and offers suggestions to help children prevent these roles from conflicting or interfering with each other during writing. (HTH)

Presents suggestions for teachers to help writing students understand when and when not to revise their writing. (HTH)

Focuses on the signs and characteristics of maturity in children's writing. Discusses signs such as providing details; elaborating on the subject; varying sentence patterns; deepening the presentation; unfolding the presentation; and sustaining the focus of the topic. Discusses the teacher's role. (RS)

Explains how Rudolf Flesch writes for elementary school children and recommends having a hero to maintain a point of view using a dialogue method or controversial writing, avoiding using heavy words, and having a strong beginning and ending. (YDS)

Explores thoughts about what teachers owe young writers in helping them learn to spell. Considers the variety of ideas in the educational community on this topic, discussing briefly invented spelling, spelling in the writing process, word lists, and spelling patterns. (SR)

Presents and discusses a speller's bill of rights, consisting of nine items to guide a spelling curriculum and ensure that children leave elementary school able to express themselves strongly and effectively in writing, including the ability to ensure that words in their writing are spelled appropriately without spending hours on proofreading. (SR)

Expresses concern over students' weakness for hyperbole. Notes that in order to engage students in the process of exploring what they do not know, teachers need to convince them that clarity and understatement requires as much imagination as hyperbole and exaggeration. Presents a teaching exercise that encourages students to write about what they…

Follows the progress of three young boys as they learn to collaborate in school. Shows the importance of allowing students to talk through their writing and reading tasks and to recognize the social and listening skills that develop along with their writing. (MG)

Suggests methods of using literature to help students select and develop topics, write drafts, confer about their writing, revise, edit, and publish their work. Concludes that students can learn a great deal about writing processes through reading and discussing children's literature. (RAE/JAD)