Describes a high school study skills program that uses technology as a tool for learning to teach skills and help students produce quality work for their subject area assignments. Describes how computer resources and software are integrated into study skills courses to teach writing and presentation skills, research skills, basic skills, thinking…

Describes the Northwest Writing Network, a collaborative model that brings together parents, administrators, and public school teachers (preschool through secondary) with Northwest Missouri State University staff and national consultants to share information, disseminate ideas, and investigate new approaches to the teaching of writing. (RS)

A study of 723 University of Cape Town (South Africa) physics students investigated their prior experience with laboratory procedures and technical report writing. Results suggest that, although students are generally aware of the importance of these elements of learning, school experience with teaching of scientific concepts and skills is often…

Outlines the rise of "young adult" books, and discusses issues related to the appropriateness of books for adolescents. Discusses and reviews 10 books for adolescents and young adults. Notes briefly three books for teachers with ideas for improving the reading and writing skills of students in various content areas. (SR)

This article decries the negative effects of the standards movement and nationwide high-stakes testing on the teaching of creative writing as teachers teach to the test and formulaic writing is preferred over truly generative writing. The relationship of good writing to good thinking is stressed. (Contains references.) (DB)

Draws on components of sociocultural theory in the organization of a second language composition course and the creation of activities designed to improve students' written skills in the second language. (Author/VWL)

Describes a method of teaching basic writing to native and nonnative students that emphasizes a regression to the most basic elements of writing. Considers what writing content, rhetorical techniques, grammar exercises, and proofreading methods are most effective for the two groups. (TB)

Describes a teaching effort to make second-language learning more attractive to students by placing them at the center of the learning experience. This approach generates exchange of information among students, between students and professors, and between students and the computer. The approach also allows students to work at their own speed. (14…

Suggests that encouraging students' exploration of and experimentation with different styles of writing can help strengthen their abilities as readers and self-confidence as writers. Provides student examples that illustrate how strong rhetorical models may inspire those who are learning to write English as a Second or Foreign Language.…

Examines whether artificially manipulating specific typographical conditions in which text is proofread promotes better initial recognition of deviant spelling. Involved 60 Spanish native speakers enrolled in an undergraduate writing class, all of whom had been previously designated as underachieving. (Author/VWL)

Examines the pedagogical uses and implications of asynchronous e-mail exchanges by reporting on a pilot project involving student-to-student penpal correspondence between the Departments of Italian at two Australian universities. Students were matched by their linguistic proficiency, then given writing tasks in pairs. The project was successful in…

Highlights ways parents can support the development of writing at home through engaging activities. Offers suggestions including: (1) writing as an extension of imagination; (2) pictures and words; (3) expanding drawing; (4) entering the social world; and (5) everyday activities as sources of ideas. Asserts that forming a literacy club will help…

When alphabet instruction is removed from the meaningful context of written language, children receive a distorted message about the purpose and importance of letters in isolation. Activities in a kindergarten classroom designed to promote children's growth as readers and writers should present written language as whole and meaningful, rather than…

Describes an activity designed to develop middle school choral students' writing skills: students wrote letters to the composers or arrangers of pieces they had performed at concerts; the students could address topics such as their reaction to the piece, general questions about composing, or discussing the performance of the piece. (CMK)

Investigated university English-as-a-Second-Language students abilities to self-edit texts across three feedback conditions: errors marked with codes from different categories; errors in the same five categories underlined but not otherwise marked or labeled; no feedback. Both feedback groups outperformed the no-feedback group in self-editing;…