Study looked at the amount, kinds, and development of required writing tasks in courses taken by elementary teachers educated at Eastern Montana College. Instructors for 61 courses were interviewed. Results showed that reflective writing assignments were minimal and that 33 percent of the courses had minimal to nonexistent writing requirements.…

Suggests that the cultural diversity of the English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) classroom can enhance instruction. Proposes application of Paulo Freire's problem-posing approach to teaching basic college writing in the multiethnic setting. Identifies teaching principles that have proven useful in urban testing. Discusses the integration of problem…

Argues that, when instructors consider only the socially constructed in their classrooms, the intricacies of individuals are lost. Points out that, when teachers think students are completing assignments, the students are actually completing their own understanding of the assignment. Suggests that instructors explain repeatedly what they expect of…

An investigation of alternative methods of managing lower division graphics courses is described. Nonexam grading time was reduced to nearly zero, creating time for professional growth, proposal development, and meaningful research. Grade profiles and attitudes of students taking the altered course are discussed. (KR)

Describes an experimental six-week summer intensive course in basic writing in which the instructor assumes the identity of "Ms. Mystery" and exchanges weekly letters with each of the students. Provides excerpts as well as analysis of these letters and argues the efficacy of letter writing as a pedagogic tool. (KEH)

Presents a case study of poetry writing in a fifth grade classroom. Shows not only how writing and reading come together but also how children come together with each other and with published poets. (RS)

Discusses how the computer can be used to help students learn to revise their writing through peer review, rereading their writing, and reacting and reshaping their writing in response to their peer's comments. (MG)

Describes a writing strategy that teaches students how to write a first person narrative and revise for more exact and fresh vocabulary words. (MG)

Describes a project at Earlham College that provided faculty with free searches on DIALOG for one year to explore the effects of using new information technology. Changes in student assignments and on faculty attitudes are discussed; the impact on library reference services is considered; and students' use of online searching is examined. (two…

Describes a term paper assignment where students are allowed to pick a topic that interests them based upon the course focus and course format. Authors have found that, if students are interested in a topic and it is relevant to them, some of the onerousness that students associate with writing can be significantly reduced. (PR)

Provides descriptions of how five teachers in various content areas (mathematics, art, French, physics. and English) at one high school in Illinois feel about the importance of writing. Explains how these teachers incorporate their belief into everyday instruction in their areas. (HB)

Discusses the work of Beatrix Potter as an artist and natural scientist. Presents three classroom projects which integrate technology, fine art, aesthetics, writing, and science. (MG)

Suggests a developmental psychology approach to teaching the psychology of women to deal with students' conservative attitudes. Provides examples of discussion topics, examination questions, and class exercises. Recommends students write a "life review" of their gender role socialization to help integrate the course content. (NL)

Examines the effects of mental imagery instruction on 37 gifted fourth and fifth grade students' creative writing and development of imagery vividness. Finds that treatment subjects significantly outperformed control subjects on originality and use of sensory descriptions but not on writing length. (MG)

Asserts that a newsletter assignment is a good alternative to the long report. Describes a newsletter assignment that demonstrates how basic requirements for identifying problem and purpose, using primary and secondary sources, and designing graphics are similar to those for the typical long report assignment. (PRA)