Compositions of 10 high-knowledge and 10 low-knowledge fourth-grade students taught by either academically-oriented or cognitive developmentally-oriented teachers were analyzed in terms of four types of propositions they contained to assess the relative influence of writers' prior knowledge and teachers' classroom lesson structure on students'…

Using data from 14 weeks of participant observation, this study examines three kindergartners' behaviors during common beginning literacy activities (i.e., copying and free composition). Results focus on the children's understanding of how written symbols and orally read messages are related and have implications for the use of teaching…

Describes a unit for third and fourth graders that begins with stimulating activities, progresses through activities designed to focus students' thinking, and culminates in prewriting/writing activities. A flow chart of the sequence is provided to aid adaptation for fifth and sixth graders. (RH)