Describes the development of a microcomputer writing lab designed for college freshmen English students. Argues that students in the lab write more and take more pride in their finished products. (RS)

Observes that rhythm and synchrony are facets of language learning and use that are often overlooked in English instruction. Describes several ways to explore the rhythmic aspects of speaking, reading, and writing. (MM)

Explains methods for structuring student participation in an archaeological expedition to develop the students' self-worth and to increase appreciation for history as it relates to the students' lives. Skills acquired may include: (1) earth science; (2) mathematics; (3) map reading skills; (4) communication skills; (5) writing skills; (6)…

This study examined the ability of writers at two ages and three ability levels in generating textually-consistent superordinate main ideas and subordinate details for three types of text structures. Subjects were 62 third and 61 sixth graders. Analyses revealed significant main effects for grade, ability, and text type. (TJH)

Describes several high school television communications projects. Asserts that video production helps develop students' basic reading and writing skills as well as higher thinking skills. (MM)

Compares the rhetorical context of essay exams with that of assignments written outside of class. Reports differences in pedagogical function, prompts, rhetorical function, mechanics, style, and organization. Refutes two common assumptions: that essay exams are not a genre and that they work against students' mastery of writing process skills.…

The paper presents a model for teaching written language to hearing impaired students on which curriculum can be based. In addition, activities, techniques, and resources are suggested that can be used when implementing the writing program. (Author/PB)

Examines the effectiveness of the Children's Handwriting Evaluation Scale-Manuscript (CHES-M) in diagnosing handwriting problems in the primary grades. Concludes that the CHES-M is a reliable diagnostic tool and is easy to administer and score. (RS)

Third graders decided to collect 10,000 objects, first determining how many each child would bring. Grouping and other activities were involved, and each child wrote about the experience. (MNS)

Presents the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages' guidelines for determining proficiency in writing, speaking, listening, and reading Arabic. Definitions for both generic and Arabic proficiency skills are provided for low-, mid-, or high-novice, -intermediate, and -advanced levels. (CB)

Examines why writing instruction is mired in traditional practices, textbook dependency, and teacher-centered/maintenance-oriented methodologies. Contends that influences for the status quo in language arts instruction will remain powerful, but a metamorphosis of writing instruction is essential. (MS)

Five series of mathematics textbooks for grades seven and eight were examined to see the kinds, amounts, uses, and suggestions for writing included. Few writing activities and very few longer writing tasks were found. (MNS)

Reviews research on the effect of computers on writing. Concludes that students will not automatically revise and write more successfully with a word processor, that students tend to submit papers with fewer mechanical errors using word processors, and that they enjoy writing more and may collaborate more. (RS)

Informal criterion-referenced techniques can be used to assess the writing skills of students with disabilities. Teachers can analyze student writing samples with regard to fluency, sentence types, vocabulary, structure, and ideation. A form is presented for collecting and analyzing data from writing samples, and use of the form is illustrated.…

A comparison of the holistic, error-count, and categorical methods of assessing written work presents disadvantages and advantages in terms of validity, reliability, and efficiency. The results of a pilot study indicate that the error-count method may provide the most benefits. (CB)