Children's abilities in written composition have recently become a major concern, stimulated by the National Assessment of Educational Progress, by the earmarking of composing ability as a new class marker, and by increased competition in an overcrowded labor market. This bulletin has been designed to help close the gap between educational…

A series of studies conducted over an 8-year period by the National Research Center on Literature Teaching and Learning examined the ways people think when they read literature and the ways in which instruction could support those kinds of thinking. The research studies were based on both a constructivist and social/communicative tradition. Some…

Discusses the use of assignments that require students to write about works of literature as a substitute for taking literature examinations; reports results of a study of the types of literature-related writing tasks assigned in four schools in England. (GT)

Although the argument that comprehension is a cognitive process is extremely convincing, the fact that comprehension can be assessed only through some sort of interaction makes this view inadequate as a base for reading/literature curricula. Questions, context, and teacher-student interaction can all influence a student's comprehension. It is also…

This packet is the first of five developed as a set of self-appraisal instruments with which teachers (and others) can systematically examine their instruction methods in communication skills. The packet contains forms for teachers, students, administrators, and parents addressing two levels of specificity: responses to the overall communication…

The Pennsylvania Comprehensive Reading/Communication Arts Plan (PCRP) is a flexible guide designed to advance student competence in reading, listening, and oral and written expression, and to nurture positive attitudes toward reading and the effective use of language. Intended for use on every educational level, preschool through adult, the PCRP…

Drawing from both research and practice, the articles in this collection address a number of issues related to the reading and writing connection. The 24 articles are grouped into five sections: "Reading, Writing, and Thinking"; "The Parts and the Whole"; "Reading for Writing"; "Contexts for Literacy"; and…