Through accessible case studies, this book offers insights into the numerous ways in which "interactive writing" (participation of two or more friendly correspondents who exchange texts across an extended period of time) can facilitate children's writing skills. The book notes that interactive writing provides children with enjoyable…

Originally developed for the Department of Defense Schools (DoDDS) system, this learning package on expanding thematic units beyond the textbook is designed for teachers who wish to upgrade or expand their teaching skills on their own. The package includes a comprehensive search of the ERIC database; a lecture giving an overview on the topic; the…

Effective writing is nearly impossible without engagement with the material. The informal journal may be the only place in the composition class which clearly respects and encourages students' individuality, and which cannot be accused of trying to force them into an academic straitjacket of a sometimes loose, sometimes tight, fit. At the same…

This document presents an annotated bibliography of books and articles on topics relevant to widowhood. These annotations are included: (1) 21 annotations on the grief process; (2) 11 annotations on personal observations about widowhood; (3) 16 annotations on practical problems surrounding widowhood, including legal and financial problems and job…

To investigate the use of classroom journals to improve teachers' instruction, a study analyzed teachers' dialogue learning logs and collected data on teachers' response patterns. Subjects were teachers of college writing who were participating in a five-week summer seminar for doctoral students in rhetoric. Teachers responded to classroom…

Describes an honors composition course for the two-year college, including the student selection process, rationale for the course, operational strategies, and course and instructor evaluations. (ARH)

This paper reports an action research in a mix-ability P5 EM2 class in a Singaporean primary school. The general purpose of the action research is to explore how to implement journal writing effectively in primary mathematics classrooms in the context of Singaporean educational system. The paper offers a relatively comprehensive description of the…

Educators continue to seek ways to foster writing that produces rich language usage by students. Journal writing in the classroom allows students to express ideas in written form. Two types of journal writing often used by educators include topical journal writing and free choice journal writing. The desire to excel in the area of writing prompted…

Through the guide's 39 chapters, a person can learn how to write his or her life, and how to prepare, submit, and sell the story. The guide offers advice on: ideas--how to spot them, enjoy them, and jot them down; first drafts and the value in simply telling the story and revising later; establishing a writing routine and keeping it; the hows and…

This report describes a program for improving students' oral and written communication in mathematics. The target population consisted of third and fourth grade classes in a suburban, middle class community located in a large Midwestern state. The current lack of communication was demonstrated by the results of class surveys, student interviews,…

This study examined the influence of research journals beyond their function as a data collection instrument. The researcher used a research journal to record field notes and write reflections and to develop a better understanding of the research role. The study that is the focus of the discussion was an examination of the development of…

This paper reports on an action research study on the use of reflective practice by a teacher educator. It highlights how the teacher educator co-constructed knowledge with a doctoral student within reflective environments, examining teaching practices, and analyzed dialogic perspectives. Using journals as a primary means of reflection allowed the…

Noting that picture books can invite students to engage in critical discussion of complex issues of race, class, and gender, this lesson plan helps students to confront the injustice of barriers that separate human beings from one another and to examine the role of prejudice and stereotypes in sustaining these barriers. During the five 45-minute…

Paper and pencil tests rarely assess children's developing mathematical and scientific concepts validly. There are, however, a number of authentic and meaningful ways to assess these processes. Anecdotal notes--recorded observations of children that concern what they say and do--reveal a considerable amount about these developing concepts.…

Family Message Journals, in which first-graders write to their families and receive a daily written reply, involve families in children's school literacy program. This paper focuses on the written replies of four representative case-study families to their children's messages. Analysis of the instructional functions realized through text structure…