Study tested influence of writing self-efficacy, writing apprehension, and writing aptitude on 181 ninth-grade students. Aptitude and self-efficacy had direct effects on performance. Girls and boys did not differ in aptitude or performance, but girls reported lower writing self-efficacy. Native English-speaking Hispanic students had lower aptitude…

Discusses the effects technology may have on human intelligence. Topics include the use of computational devices, including calculators, in schools; the changes word processing has brought about in writing; the use of television; and the effects of weapons on children. (LRW)

Investigates the relative effectiveness of general modes of instruction and specific instructional activities using a nonexperimental methodology and a group of 16 teachers and 275 students, grades 1, 3-6, and 8. Finds that only one combination of activities was associated with large gains (especially in the lower grades) and this combination…

Describes a tool called the Electronic Issue Forum which was designed to give college students experience in writing both persuasive and balanced papers in a way that supports distance learning. The role-playing nature of the forum is explained, and grading criteria and other student needs are considered. (Author/LRW)

Explores the interaction and sequencing of hands-on activities, writing, and reading in the science classroom viewed from a constructivist perspective. Describes the Hands-On, Writing and Reading for Understanding approach designed to accommodate various learning styles and to challenge and direct student learning. Discusses sequencing of…

Investigates the effects of task repetition on the writing skills of upper-level developmental reading students. Reports that productivity, use of source text, and representation of key ideas improved with simple repetition of meaningful literacy tasks. However, there was also an increase in copying from the sources. (Contains 38 references.)…

Describes an art history project used with fifth-grade students where they selected a famous painting as a background for a self-portrait. Explains how the students used Adobe Photoshop to place a digital photograph of themselves into a scanned image of the artwork. (CMK)

Describes the rewards and challenges of using the Patchwork Text to teach Greek Tragedy to Cambridge University English final-year students. The article uses close reading of the students' texts, analysis and reflection to discuss both the products and the process of Patchwork writing. (Author/AEF)

Outlines writing theories proposed by researchers that have contributed to current second language teaching and learning classroom methodologies. Drawing on the insights gained from these theories, one English-as-a-Foreign-Language freshman composition classroom learning experience in doing practical research with first language Arabic nonnative…

Describes an empirical study conducted at the University of Central Oklahoma that investigated the differences in learning outcomes between English as a second language composition courses taught with two different methods, one based on a simulation called GLOBECORP and one on traditional instruction. Discusses progress measured by mandated…

Revisits an earlier study on English-as-a Second-Language (ESL) children's emergence into literacy, which was conducted with 5- and 6-year olds at a multilingual K-12 school in Casablanca, Morocco. Discusses the notion of "synchronicity"--a dynamic oneness between teacher and child--as the distinguishing feature of three classrooms were…

Suggests that discussions on approaching poetry must begin with addressing the role of the classroom teachers and the attitudes about poetry that they bring to the classroom. Discusses a few general suggestions as to how poetry may be approached in the classroom. Discusses a poetry writing sequence which helps students explore images and…

Discusses the classroom approaches and teaching techniques professional writers use when teaching literary journalism. Comments on discussions with John McPhee, Mark Kramer, Madeleine Blais, and Tracy Kidder. (MG)

Provides comments from five teachers in response to an article in the same issue of "English Journal" concerning a teacher's handling of a rebellious high school student. (MG)

Suggests that one way for English teachers to have students explore relationships between literature and science is to have them read and write about fiction with scientific themes. Outlines units that create chances for students to bring together the literary arts and the sciences into one classroom. (MG)