Discusses the use of life stories as a strategy for validating student life experiences, developing tolerance for and appreciation of other cultures and improving student attitudes about themselves and their peers. Describes a literature-based, college-level course for inservice teachers in which life stories were the dominant theme. (CFR)

Writing strategies were incorporated into a pharmacy program communication skills course, and their effectiveness measured in comparison with a previous student group (n=20). Experimental subjects (n=28) showed significant improvement in writing, verbal skills, ability to formulate ideas, and identifying appropriate target audience, and had…

Ways in which the French teacher can use print media for language skill development are offered. Classroom techniques for exploiting these texts for instruction in grammar, reading comprehension, writing, and oral expression are presented, including ideas for selecting a variety of authentic materials. (MSE)

Recounts the story of one portfolio project in a large midwestern university and considers the process of the teachers and administrators initiating and adjusting to the changes implied by such shifts in assessment strategies. Argues that the implementation of such assessment represents more sweeping change than may be apparent at the onset. (MG)

Learning activities to develop skills in various curriculum areas including language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science are presented, focusing on the theme of education in centuries past. Sample activities include contrasting the Spartan and Athenian educational systems and using Pestalozzi's charts for math functions. (DB)

An Australian study investigated differences in writing context, process, and product with 51 eighth-grade girls using word processing and pens. Findings indicated the computer classroom was more student centered, less teacher dominated, and more work focused; and quality of writing was rated significantly higher. The importance of genre in…

The whole-language approach to reading interrelates different language arts and uses children's experience as the basis for reading materials. The Success Language Arts program promotes growth of knowledge in various academic disciplines while developing students' reading and writing abilities. The program eliminates basal readers and allows…

A course on computers and writing for special education middle school students who are reluctant writers is described. The background of the course, the role of the computer, student attitudes, outcomes, and success factors are discussed. An added advantage was the improved communication between regular and special educators. (DB)

Four K-3 teachers (Brevard County School District) described their experiences using whole language programs. They had in common a child-centered attitude; an initial experience of frustration followed by encouragement from the children's excitement and involvement in learning; and an approach that began with the writing process and moved to…

Describes a course within the traditional organization of a typical school of business that will help students acquire the ability to write with the use of the computer. Reports that, although students acquired considerable word-processing skills, they made little improvement in report-writing skills and knowledge of writing theory. (PRA)

Describes a report writing unit that is part of a three-year language/communication course for second language engineering students at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. States that the tasks motivated the students to develop their report writing and oral skills. (RS)

Describes a program adding a counseling component to a developmental writing course to address students' sense of isolation through sessions on group formation, goal setting, values clarification, and strength identification. Reports that program participants outperformed nonremedial students in subsequent composition courses. (PAA)

Describes the development and use of the Traveling Tales backpack for engaging children and parents in home writing activities. Shares the experiences of one child and how his family became involved in helping him write a book. (MG)

Describes a writing project for middle school students in which they learn about the writing process by creating "choose your own adventure" stories. (MG)

Looks at how a short story by three students in a bilingual third-grade classroom came to be. Examines the literate practices already established in the classroom; the classroom norm of using two languages; learning to include information from multiple sources; and learning that interaction is a valuable part of the writing process. (SR)