Describes a study of fifth graders that investigated whether students who compose on the computer write expository texts of longer length, and of better quality, than students composing by hand. Results indicate that the computer alone is not the key to facilitating highly proficient writing. (LRW)

The seasonal activities presented are: observing herbs to encourage use of the senses in writing; watching a jack-o'-lantern wither to learn skills in writing details; and building snowmen to learn to explain a string of events in writing. (SM)

This article discusses an approach that uses Socratic questioning to instill grammar awareness in advanced, academically bound second-language learners. Natural versus formal teaching and learning of language forms is reviewed, the theoretical framework is discussed, and the pedagogical concepts on which the theoretical framework is based is…

Studies three schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District to show the existence of large inequities in public schools that are geographically only miles apart. Disparities in teacher preparation, access to reading material, types of literacy activities, and teaching practices are studied. (GR)

Discusses the role that school library media specialists can play in the development of children's writing skills. Recommends a number of reference books for student writers published by Scholastic, including a dictionary, thesaurus, dictionary of idioms, rhyming dictionary, dictionary of spelling, and a treasury of quotations. (LRW)

Argues that base-level critical thinking, attendance, and notetaking differentially predicted performance measures in a large human development course. Multiple regression analyses showed that critical thinking was the strongest indicator of multiple-choice examination performance, while notetaking was the best predictor of total course…

Presents an interdisciplinary unit on tabloids that includes English and science components. Aims to develop informed customers who can analyze and research information using process skills. Emphasizes writing, critical thinking, and process skills. (YDS)

Examines second language students' perceptions of grammar instruction, with specific reference to writing skill. Discusses issues involved in defining a role for grammar study and presents excerpts from student essays and explanations of classroom lessons. Results indicate that the instruction provided helped to improve students' ability to use…

Studies of the written language of students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing addressed, among other topics, level of reading skills, development of language skills after age 12, and evidence of a critical age for language learning. Data collection methods, research outcomes, and an overview of other articles in the theme issue are discussed. (CR)

The compositions of 49 students (ages 10-14) with deafness or hearing impairments and 49 typical students were compared to investigate the frequency and proportional distribution of written-language variables. Differences were found between the strategies chosen by the students with deafness or hearing impairments in both syntax and semantics and…

A study of 943 personal narratives of students with deafness evaluated the effectiveness of the Six-Trait Analytical Scale in assessing student's writing. The scale was found to be reliable and valid in evaluating written narratives of students with and without hearing losses and is recommended as a valuable diagnostic instrument and instructional…

Describes how to assist nonnative English speaking graduate students with their academic writing in English. Explains several readily available resources that are useful for teachers in non-English speaking countries who are responsible for correcting academic theses and dissertations, scholarly articles, and international conference papers.…

This article reviews research associated with instructional programs on writing strategies that are part of the "Learning Strategies Curriculum." The research shows that secondary students with disabilities can learn to use complex writing strategies to such an extent that they can write multi-paragraph themes appropriate for general education…

Examined impact of intervention emphasizing metacognitive awareness to develop practical intelligence for school in middle school subjects. Found that program enhances practical and academic skills in reading, writing, homework, and test-taking in students from diverse SES backgrounds attending diverse types of schools. Evaluated results in terms…

Examines the effect of a training program on phonological skills that intended to lead preschool Portuguese children (n=30) to move from prephonetic spellings to early phonemic spellings. Reports that for the experimental group, the intervention was effective in moving the children to early phonemic spellings. Includes references. (CMK)