Authentic learning experiences are those in which students engage with texts as well as the behaviors of reading and writing within contexts of real-world use beyond traditional academic use. This study provides quantitative analysis of how students (n = 200) engaged with an adult pen pal in a shared literacy experience. Findings indicate that…

Describes several writing activities in a writing program for fourth and fifth grade students using stimuli from the media. Notes that each theme was designed to increase students' ability to create original compositions from familiar material (such as advertisements and magazine photographs) using persuasive, narrative, or descriptive techniques.…

Discusses the use of computers in teaching basic writing to college students. Offers computer exercises and activities which foster a whole-language curriculum. (PRA)

Examines the types of literacy support parents gave their children at home with 15 students from a diverse class of 23 third graders during an eight-week integrated unit on writing autobiographies. Finds pattern differences between genders with respect to the nature of support given at home. Suggests that particularly African-American males…

Describes a writing exercise--writing cliffhangers--that uses six class periods to engage students in the writing process and finishes by publishing a book of students' cliffhanger stories. (SR)

Provides examples of arts infused literary studies, with each example using art experiences (expressive writing, creative movement, visual arts, exploratory music, and informal drama) to relate to the literature text. Notes that the learning outcome is to involve readers in exploring the meaning of the story as it relates to their own life…

Offers examples of science reading and writing activities (used in a study of the effects of an integrated curriculum strategy on the achievement, attitudes, and self-confidence of fourth- and fifth-grade students) which integrate the language arts and encourage the development of skills through content-based context instruction. (SR)

Investigates the effectiveness of the story impression method--a prewriting activity that develops a schema for ideas found in the story. Suggests that students enjoy using the story clues to write a prestory. Finds that story impressions are a powerful tool for helping all readers (including remedial readers) improve their comprehension. Appends…

Shares practical and successful solutions to implementing three recommendations concerning seatwork made in "Becoming a Nation of Readers." (MG)