Described are classroom strategies chosen to elicit greater involvement by students in the learning process and to furnish opportunities for practice in critical thinking. The advantages and disadvantages of this teaching approach are discussed. (CW)

Cites results of studies showing that students' language skills are not deteriorating. Suggests using class time for writing workshops to give students feedback on work-in-progress. Considers that difficulty with concepts and subject content may come across as poor writing. Notes that additional writing can be helpful without being graded. (DK)

Shows 16 kindergarten children's literacy development as indicated by the use of 6 specific story elements (classic story version, connected events, fantasy experiences, goal-directed experiences, personal experiences, and social interactions) in the children's original stories. Finds support for the belief that learning to read and learning to…

A small-scale simulation investigated the impact of making essay topics available to test takers before the test. Results with 11 college students reveal little effect of the prepublished topic. Implications for teacher licensure examinations are discussed with reference to the Praxis Series: Professional Assessments for Beginning Teachers being…

Recounts the details of a 2-week summer writing institute for students from grades 3 to 12 that incorporates peer response and revising into civic and creative writing. (MG)

Addresses the development of written language in learning-disabled adolescents and describes a specific program implemented with 65 mildly learning handicapped secondary school students in El Paso, Texas. (PRA)

The importance of using effective communication and writing skills in science is discussed. Outlets for student essays are presented. Writing about hands-on experiences in the science classroom can improve science vocabulary as well as comprehension and critical thinking. (KR)

Examines the table of contents and the indexes of nine business communication and five technical writing textbooks for coverage of the skills that are needed by businesspeople and engineers. Concludes that technical writing texts are preferable for writing skills, whereas business communication texts are better for oral skills. Makes…

Describes how the author and a colleague engaged their students in a variety of research and writing activities to prepare the students for the merger of two school systems and to help them participate intelligently in a bond referendum campaign to fund the building of a new high school. (PRA)

Reviews studies on the whole-language approach of pairing reading and writing courses to enhance the learning in both. Describes a study of 154 students enrolled in basic writing. Results suggest that simultaneous enrollment in a reading class will not significantly influence ability to pass basic writing. (PAA)

Discusses the role of the Rasch model IRT in evaluating two subtests of the Occupational English test and argues for its use in exploring test constructs and in considering the implications of the empirical analysis presented for the validity of communicative language tests involving speaking and writing skills. (39 references) (Author/JL)

Asserts that writing conferences are the heart of teaching writing. Describes use of picture books and writer's circles to improve student reading and writing skills. Reports that students became more confident in analyzing writing genres and more able to write complex narratives. (CFR)

Presents nine tips for planning effective second-language writing lessons. Tips are based on three principles (writing is a means of communication, writing is a process, and eliciting oral or written production of foreign language varies according to the degree of guidance teachers give to students). The paper offers six sample writing lessons for…

Asserts that, while most elementary classrooms have become workshop communities in which teachers and students share reading and writing, many teachers are unsure how to extend the workshop into an environment in which rigorous teaching about the craft of writing takes place. Argues that learning to write well is not divorced from authentic…

Describes the development and implementation of a curriculum model seeking to integrate the study of different types of text in a coherent and meaningful way. Explains the rationale of the model, supported by exemplar tasks designed by teachers working within the context of an integrated English, media and drama curriculum. Evaluates the impact of…