Reports on the writing performance of Saint Lucian schoolchildren with particular reference to possible dialect interference in written speech. The study focuses on characteristic errors in the writing as well as the causes and significance of these errors and explores the available remedies. (21 references) (Author/CK)

Describes the use of generative curriculum in a first-grade class, whereby students pursue their own topics of interest and ways of learning as they engage in meaningful inquiry. Outlines demonstrations that teachers can use to help students develop their own topics. Areas covered include composition, visual arts, notetaking, interviews, surveys,…

A high school teacher created a writing center for private student peer tutorials without a teacher. Students borrowed some tutoring methods from the teacher and devised some rules and strategies of their own that led to a more socially constructive environment in which they were more enthusiastic about their writing. (Author/SM)

Reviews 12 professional books dealing with the following topes: (1) children's literature; (2) literacy development; (3) young writers; (4) discovery science and nature; (5) whole-language resources on butterflies and on dinosaurs; (6) mathematics; (7) engaging children in literacy; (8) early childhood curriculum; (9) the High/Scope Perry…

Surveys admissions deans at accredited law schools as well as speech communication departments in the United States to determine whether undergraduate education in speech communication adequately prepares students for law school. Finds that, although law school admission officials do not support the claim, students ought to view speech…

Describes a study undertaken at Brock University that correlates performance of students in English-as-a-Second-Language courses in spoken and written English with achievement in their other academic courses. (eight references) (GLR)

Warns against a complete reliance on the "writing process approach" in writing instruction, stressing that not all writers rely on rewriting and revision and that emphasis on group response does not necessarily lead to effective writing. Argues that the process approach discourages modeling and the use of well-known rhetorical patterns. (DMM)

Provides guidelines to help teachers set up publication programs for young writers. Whether or not they get published, students benefit from that goal because they are more motivated to be creative. Steps to motivate students toward publication include assessing the market; shaping writing sessions; editing; and preparing for submission. (SM)

Examines naturally occurring one-to-one writing conference conversations between a ninth grade English teacher and three students. Considers composing processes that appear to be privileged in the conference context when different students are learning to write. Suggests a broadened model of effective writing conference instruction. (MG)

Focuses on three writing programs involving laptop computers for reluctant writers within the Seattle Public Schools. Notes that each program uses their laptops in very different ways to impact the teaching and practice of writing in schools. (MG)

Describes two studies at Brigham Young University which investigated whether the Pre-Professional Skills Test can identify teacher education candidates who lack essential skills in reading, writing, and mathematics. Demonstrates that the test is relevant to the kinds of skills and knowledge that teacher education students need to succeed.…

In an effort to improve the student literacy, a school district in Mississippi implemented the semantic-mapping or cognitive-mapping approach, using the Thinking Networks for Reading and Writing package which provides software, text activities, and semantic maps. Library media specialists played a major role in the project as teacher-trainers,…

Discusses a study of the effects of first year composition students' use of a microcomputer as a word processor on the quality of their writing. Compares students who used the word processor with those who hand wrote their compositions, revealing greater improvement among the word processing group, regardless of initial skill levels. (PAA)

Describes the writing lab at Samuels School, a bilingual school in Denver, CO, where students use computers to improve their writing ability. (MG)

Uses Clark and Trow's schema for differentiating collegiate, vocational, academic, and nonconformist peer cultures to classify basic writers' areas of commitment and attachment. Suggests ways that students can be grouped to work at translating non-Standard English so that it can be better understood by other cultures. (DMM)