This article outlines a rational for responsive, differentiated writing instruction that targets students' identified needs with respect to various dimensions of the writing process. Discussed is a cycle that requires ongoing assessment, instructional decision-making, responsive, differentiated instruction, guided practice, and assessment.…

The purpose of this case study is to document the ways in which fifth-grade students in a historically, low-performing school learned to write from a teacher who did not emphasize test-taking processes. The study demonstrates how these instructional practices in a writing workshop context positively affected the student performance on a statewide…

Suggesting that teachers combine moments of action, theory-building, inquiry, and planning as they respond to students' needs, this book addresses responsive teaching/learning, informed action, theory building, inquiry, and planning in the context of literacy instruction. Chapters in the book are: (1) Teaching/Learning and Literacy; (2) Developing…

Noting that when students are immersed in reading and writing poetry they benefit from revisions in writing and learn to critically analyze text, this book outlines the ways that poetry workshops can excite students' interest. Chapter 1, "Laying a Foundation for Poetry Workshop" defines poetry workshop and explains its value in the reading and…

When a teacher-trainer conducted a workshop on the "6+1" model of writing evaluation for teachers at a school for the deaf, she used her experience teaching deaf children to adapt the model for their use. Since she knew that deaf students are actually English language learners, she drew on and modified a version of the model used with native…

Points out the similarities and differences between library instruction and writing instruction in the higher education curriculum. Topics include an historical overview; teaching language; writing and research as processes; discourse communities, or academic disciplines; workshops to initiate and sustain writing across the curriculum; assessment;…

How teachers restructured their professional knowledge (PK) was studied using data from a Tel Aviv (Israel) University workshop for experienced writing teachers that was designed to change their professional orientation from technical rationality to reflection in action. Workshop participants included 18 teachers with 10 to 35 years of teaching…

An initiative of the Open Society Institute (OSI) and the International Reading Association (IRA), Reading and Writing for Critical Thinking (RWCT) promotes classroom teaching practices that help students learn actively, think critically, and work cooperatively. It offers an integrated program of staff development, activities for teachers of the…

This report summarizes the findings of a 2-year research project on creative writing and adult education in Cleveland, England, that focused on the ideas and feelings of tutors, students, and writers involved in creative writing workshops in the city. The report begins with overviews of creative writing activities in Cleveland (including mention…

The first edition of this book in 1987 examined how teachers teach and how learners learn in the context of reading and writing workshops for middle school students. This revised edition still stresses the workshop approach to writing and English instruction, but it calls for a more activist approach by the teacher, encouraging more direction and…

At this conference on educational assessment, there was consensus among participants on the importance of the use of assessment to improve instruction, enhance the curriculum, and allow policy makers to measure achievement. There was less consensus about the best forms of assessment to use. The following conference papers are provided in this…

This book provides a guide for English language arts teachers in grades 6-12, demonstrating how students learn and how beliefs inform behavior. It promotes a student-centered and inquiry-based teaching philosophy. Seven chapters focus on: (1) "Education Begins with Philosophy" (e.g., belief shapes perception, curriculum in traditional and…

This volume presents 64 abstracts of keynote and parallel paper presentations of the Irish National Academy for Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning's (NAIRTL) conference on the theme of flexible learning. The Flexible Learning conference was a joint initiative by NAIRTL and the Learning Innovation Network. The keynote presentations can…