Examines Vygotsky's distinction between spontaneous and scientific concepts and their influence upon mental development. Discusses the differences between oral and written utterances and the use of writing in science classrooms to address issues of racial and gender equity. Contains 29 references. (JRH)

Discusses the two core approaches (the deep approach and the surface approach) for writing by college students. Deep approach involves conception is oneself as an agent in making meaning and the surface approach is linked to a more passive strategy marked by reproduction of reorganization of information. Concludes with recommendations for…

Assessing academic abilities in the Indian educational context is closely linked with proficiency in writing. This article discusses ways to help learners produce self-contained compositions in English. This involves teaching them to link and develop information, ideas, or arguments in logical sequences. (Author/VWL)

This study reports results of student graphing of writing after brief free writing periods in the 4th grade. An examination of writing samples over time from students with the highest and lowest writing rates showed improved writing quality in terms of more concrete details and more sophisticated organization. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

Argues that few students learn to think well within the disciplines and domains of knowledge and experience. Offers 18 ideas for students to utilize in order to become better critical thinkers and learners, including: (1) becoming an active learner; (2) becoming a questioner; and (3) looking for interconnections. First in a series of articles.…

Explores the trends in the basic education of Bangladeshi children (ages 11 and 12) using data generated through two nationally representative sample surveys. Reports that the level of basic education rose slowly (26.7 percent in 1993 to 29.6 percent in 1998) while improvement was found in life skills knowledge and writing skills. Includes…

This review examines the literature on how to teach kindergarten children with reading and writing difficulties how to write. Research on handwriting instruction, spelling instruction, and composition writing is discussed. Although the research on writing instruction in kindergarten is limited, findings suggest it can include instructional…

Presented are the results from a few of the writing prompts used in a study and some of the comments made by individual students in response to specific prompts. Background of the study, an intervention strategy, and categories used (prompts, responses, applications, and explanations to peers) are discussed. (CW)

Investigates the impact of task definition on students' revising strategies. Finds that texts written by students who receive instruction on global revision are judged both to be of significantly better quality and include significantly more global revisions than students who were simply asked to make the text better. (MG)

Questions the belief that expository prose is the basic skill that underlies the ideal of academic discourse. Suggests that expository prose and traditional academic discourse are constrained and distorted by ideological values and false conceptions of gender. Argues that writing will seem a much different and richer subject once those values and…

Maintains that the five-paragraph essay formula confuses and alienates students and undermines the basic goals of writing instruction. Advocates developing a repertoire of alternatives for teaching form. Suggests that using the metaphor of the essay as journey is one such teaching alternative. (SR)

Discusses examples of classroom practice using a writing assignment generated from computer application articles published in the accounting literature. Notes that students are exposed to ideas and techniques actually used in practice and to practice evaluation and critical thinking skills and have the opportunity to write in response to the…

Describes how BreadNet (a national computer network of English teachers) has come to dominate the routine of a high school class. Notes that BreadNet gives students new motivation to write, inquire, and learn. Describes classroom electronic writing exchanges and an electronic writers' workshop which posted essays on BreadNet. (RS)

Surveys 221 college basic writing instructors concerning the thinking and writing skills they stress and how receptive basic writers are to learning such skills. Notes a dilemma in that teachers emphasize the mechanical skills students say they want, yet students are not receptive to mastering these skills. (RS)

A series of study guides, which were developed to assist students in improving study and library skills, is reproduced for teachers' use. The guides cover test-taking skills; writing business letters; selecting a writing topic; plagiarism; developing search strategies; documentation; and locating dictionaries, periodical articles, books,…