Examined the extent to which kindergartners used computer speech during narrative writing and the relationship between this use and the linguistic properties of their written products. Found that length of text, grammatical cohesion, and lexical density were strongly associated with use of computer-generated spoken feedback. Narrative types and…

Discussion of how to improve elementary school students' writing focuses on teaching and explaining the literary element of a character's attitude. Considers the relationship between attitude, mood, and motive; includes suggested student activities related to attitude; and describes evaluation possibilities. (LRW)

Evaluates adapted classroom arrangements, assesses the additional impact of a form of structured peer interaction between a subset of emergent writers and older children with writing delay, while controlling for time on task. Indicates significant improvement for all emergent writers and increased gains for those also experiencing the structured…

Investigates effectiveness of a first-grade formal spelling program (with explicit spelling instruction and weekly spelling tests). Shows that most children knew a majority of the spelling words before being given explicit instruction, and they transferred few of their spelling words to their journals. Notes the classroom reading/writing workshop…

Presents brief descriptions of 42 illustrated children's books, and notes how these books can provide support and demonstration to guide, inspire, and even instruct young writers. Presents the books in groups called: Igniting Ideas, Offering Perspectives, Revealing Self and Discovering Surroundings, Mixing Genres, Falling in Love with Language,…

This exploratory study examined effects of literacy- enriched play centers and the emergent literacy of 5-year-old kindergartners. Qualitative analysis indicated that a language or literacy component can be integrated into kindergartners' play activities. Play activities promoted the invented symbols and messages in children's writing. Teachers…

In this article, the authors discuss how children develop their motor skills at different age levels. Newborn's movements are jerky and uncoordinated. Spending lots of floor time with a baby lying on her back or stomach helps her develop coordination, balance, and muscle strength during her earliest months. As locomotion enters a baby's life, she…

Recent changes in mathematics curricula, both in South Africa and elsewhere, have begun to change the overwhelmingly symbolic nature of mathematics in schools (in the sense of use of mathematical symbolism), promoting more use of the oral and written language. Engaging students in "Writing-to-Learn" activities in mathematics classrooms…

In this article, the author focuses on first grade readers and writers who revisit their work and describes what first-graders do when they revisit their writing about science and literature and review collections of their work. The first-graders discussed here are in Elaine O'Connor's classroom at Clark Elementary School in Charlottesville. In a…

A study explored gender differences in toy preferences, using 824 children's responses to a southeastern newspaper's request for letters to Santa Claus. The results suggested that it is in the choice of toys associated with some aspect of the adult social structure where children's preferences show the greatest gender differences. Changes in toy…

Recognizing the importance of student journal writing for language exploration and experimentation, this project examined the impact of introducing student/teacher dialogues as part of the journal format for kindergartners. In the fall of the academic year, journal writing was introduced, and students wrote in journals every day. The teacher's…

Designed by educator-led development teams who view the computer as an enabling technology that encourages children to become active learners, this CD-ROM disk is intended for students in kindergarten through grade 6. The disk enables students to create interactive stories fueled by the power of their imaginations and create adventures set in an…

In this book, the author reveals the creative force of children's narrative imagination and shows how this develops through childhood. He provides a new and powerful understanding of the significance of narrative for children's intellectual growth and for learning and teaching. The book explores a series of real stories written by children between…

This position paper is a product of Australia's Primary English Teaching Association. The paper looks at the capabilities of Australian children upon their entry into kindergarten. It argues that a new breed of learners needs a new set of practices to support their literacy learning. The paper focuses on a study in which writing samples were…

A process writing and hypermedia literacy program was designed, taught, and evaluated by early childhood teachers. The program, funded through a Goals 2000 grant, took place in a public school summer camp for children (n=160) ages 6-9 in a public school in rural northeast Mississippi. Reactive-participant data collection methods were used to…