Documents changes in 2 elementary teachers' thinking about instruction in reading or math after 1.5 years as participants in in-service programs designed to promote constructivist teaching practices. Interviews conducted before and after the programs indicated that, over time, teachers gave stronger emphasis to inquiry as a component of a subject…

Argues that when writing teachers write they must ask themselves to what extent they reinforce the strategies of a social order that coerces agreement and to what extent they struggle against them in the high-stakes arena of social change. Analyzes recent composition scholarship and its theoretical bases to show that writers' shifting…

In response to Stephen D. Krashen, Patsy M. Lightbown and Manfred Pienemann argue that comprehensible input will not always be sufficient to bring about developmental change or increased accuracy in the learning environment. Krashen replies that the research shows that effects of direct instruction are typically short lasting and do not become…

Detailed text analysis was used to examine the expository writing patterns of four academically successful African American high school students. These bidialectic students brought culturally influenced text design patterns into the classroom. Implications for writing instruction for culturally diverse students are discussed. (SLD)

One college professor finds that while supplemental instruction (SI) sessions in the humanities resemble those in social, physical, and biological sciences, there are also qualitative differences that derive from discipline-specific expectations. These are rooted in the epistemology and axiology of the humanities, the expansive nature of…

The information gained from analysis of bilingual students' writing can be used to inform instruction that helps students improve their writing in Spanish and English. The writing of one native Spanish-speaking third grader is analyzed, and instructional strategies are given for helping the writer improve content and mechanics. (Author/TD)

Elementary across-the-curriculum ideas include hands-on science activities that investigate animal survival, civics education via bicycle safety instruction, writing skills development by illumination, and math instruction by reading a story then solving problems. An end-of-the-year theme unit has students read poems then play related games. (SM)

Describes the use of the writing-across-the-curriculum approach in a college psychology course. Reports on a study of the effect of summary writing exercises on 16 students. Finds that participating student scores on the final examination were eight percent higher than nonparticipating students. (CFR)

Describes a self-conference sheet used by a history professor to help students improve their research papers. Includes a sample sheet with questions for students to consider when revising their papers. Provides additional suggestions for evaluating first drafts and examining title, thesis, and explanation of the major point. (DK)

An Assimilative Base Model is presented and related to the improvement of instruction in writing for learning-disabled and other children. The model, based on Piagetian theory, involves three interchange processes: automatic skill development; puzzlement leading to reorganization of relationships; and strategy development leading to enrichment of…

If literacy is to increase the autonomy and social standing of previously illiterate persons rather than to domesticate and further subordinate them, reading and writing must be imbued with genuine empowering potential. A case study from rural Nicaragua, set against an account of adult literacy for revolutionary change, is presented. (37…

Outlines a model for incorporating critical thinking about politics within a rhetorical schema in writing courses. Provides an outline of four units of study on political semantics, psychological blocks to perceiving bias, models of biased and deceptive rhetoric, and locating and evaluating partisan sources. (SR)

Several activities to help teachers focus students' attention on learning at the end of the year include quiz games, mystery boxes, map games, videotapes, gift making, author birthday parties, yard sales, ice cream science, and summer safety activities. Younger students can create murals, play editing games, and enjoy special ceremonies. (SM)

This article reports on implementation of the Early Literacy Project with primary level students with mild disabilities. Special attention is given to one preconventional writer whose performance was advanced by involving him in literacy activities in advance of competence, using meaningful text representations to scaffold performance, and…

A study of the success of English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) students on an institutional exit exam showed that ESL students are twice as likely as native English speakers to fail the exam although they compensate by passing the appeal. The findings suggest that portfolio assessment may be more valid for judging ESL students' writing. (Contains 25…