A study explored whether a writing-assessment rubric could be used as an effective teaching strategy with 10 deaf children (grades 5 through 7). From fall to spring, students showed significant improvement in four writing qualities and no significant improvement in five qualities. The ability to individualize rubrics is discussed. (Author/CR)

Poor spellers in second grade (N=128) participated in sessions that included direct instruction in the alphabet principle, modeling of different approaches for developing connections between spoken and written words, and practice in composing. Results of this multilayered approach are discussed, including evidence that training in spelling…

Describes how a quilting theme can provide an inclusive, engaging experience for children that also strengthens literacy, communicative, cognitive, and problem-solving skills and encourages family involvement. Outlines the phases of a quilting project, lists related classroom activities for both preschool and primary classrooms, and offers…

Discusses the importance of classroom environment and teacher role in middle school students' literacy learning. Focuses on redesigning the literacy classroom to enable students to read and write better and engage them in literacy events. (JPB)

Examines whether the use of progressive writing for a psychology paper assignment affects students' writing and motivation when used to discuss course material illustrated in popular movies. Reveals that the students felt their writing improved and 44% of the students earned 90% of the overall points; student motivation was lower than expected.…

Discusses the role of writing instruction in assisting literacy development in middle school students. Develops a research-based rationale for having all students write frequently each day, and shows three strategies for integrating writing practice with regular classroom instruction. (JPB)

Discusses use of "mediated texts" as a classroom practice which meets requirements of "accommodation" for alternative demonstrations of competency in academic writing. Defines mediated texts, describes case studies which use these texts with deaf students who are basic writers; and shows connection between this heuristic and…

The role of executive control in the revising problems of 12 eighth graders with writing and learning difficulties was studied by providing students with executive support in the process. Compared with revising under normal conditions, executive support made the revision process easier for students and improved their revising behavior. (SLD)

Explores a method of developing kindergarten children's written stories through journal writing, specifically written interactions or dialogs between child and teacher in response to journal entries. Notes how journals and written conversation encourage process writing, helping children produce stories with a sense of meaning. Offers suggestions…

When administrators put their ideas into writing, they produce a durable public record. An administrator's paper trail should compliment rather than haunt its creator. Effective communicators treat writing as a reflective process that helps sharpen and clarify ideas and considers both audience and purpose. (Contains 17 references.) (MLH)

Describes a 4-year teacher action research project focused on whether student dialogue journals can provide documentation of student learning from a cultural unit taught in Spanish. Results are discussed. (Author/VWL)

Investigated perceptions of English compositions among four groups of readers in Japan. Analyses of evaluative criteria and readers' comments yielded the following parallel results: inexperienced English-as-a-foreign-language (EFL) students attended predominantly to content in both judging and commenting on compositions, more experienced EFL…

Studied four teacher educators engaged in a cooperative self-study of their practice with regard to the use of case writing in their elementary preservice courses. Participants had similar definitions of cases. They realized that their different research agendas led to differences in their teaching practice. They valued what they learned about…

Focuses on problems inherent in teaching culture in the English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) classroom. These include the definition of "Canadian culture," limitations of teacher education programs, defining settlement education as ESL, a decline in regard for ESL professionals, the role of immigrant educators, cultural bias, and fiscal…

Describes a first-year composition course that used writing assignments to give students the opportunity to explore the transition from high school to college and their inclusion into campus culture, and to argue for campus policy changes. Offers preliminary data concerning the course's effectiveness in enhancing retention of first-year students.…