Annotates 136 conference papers, journal articles, and doctoral dissertations from 1988 and 1989 dealing with research in the teaching of English. Includes sections on writing, language, literature, and teacher education. (RS)

Discusses first grade students' writing experiences and processes. Demonstrates, using student writing samples, how simple expression can lead to greater complexity with appropriate teacher guidance. Asserts that teachers must observe and take cues from students to determine what learning context and hints to provide. (MM)

This article reports on a study which investigated the question of whether the motivational and attitudinal components associated with wanting to do well, taking risks, and having a progressive ideology are empirically associated with staff ratings of quality. Subjects were 133 preservice primary teachers in England. (IAH)

Demonstrates the complex social nature of literacy by examining research on the influence of social interactions on reading and writing development. Illustrates these findings with examples from the environment and activities of a kindergarten classroom. (MM)

Discusses the potential and the limitations of intelligent tutoring systems (ITS) in the teaching of writing. Outlines the goals and significance of research, and analyzes the pedagogical assumptions underlying such research. Describes the architecture of these systems and illustrates instructional design issues by describing the ITS program,…

Describes how a shared poetry exercise, combining whole language experiences with process writing techniques, motivates remedial readers. Notes that this technique helps remedial readers achieve success in writing, build sight and meaning vocabularies, and improve reading fluency. (MM)

Examines problems in the use of the term "community," including: (1) vague descriptions of community, without rules or boundaries; (2) its foreignness to students, raising questions about why students should learn it; and (3) its tendency to polarize writing theorists into community and individual camps. (JAD)

Describes 13 practical ideas for classroom teaching at the elementary level, including writing classmates' biographies, keeping a class diary, and improving emergent readers' vocabulary with word cards. (MM)

Describes an eighth grade reading teacher's program which involved students visiting elderly adults in nursing homes. Argues that the experience provided the context for students to deal with responsibility in a realistic setting, and that the positive circumstances encouraged them to share their experiences in oral and written form. (RS)

Describes the use of "Happy Hands" instructional materials and techniques for grades K-3 develop keyboarding knowledge and skills for computer-assisted instruction. Color coding techniques are explained; the use of dictation is discussed; keyboarding games and software are described; and the development of writing skills through…

Describes a study conducted to assess an English-as-a-Second-Language tutoring program and to suggest means for improving both the tutoring sessions and the general attitudes toward tutoring. Indicates that the students' avoidance of peer tutoring stems principally from cultural differences between the tutors and students. (18 references) (MAB)

Describes a study of journalism students at Pennsylvania State University that investigated how they reacted to the use of computers in their classes, especially the electronic evaluation of written work. Topics addressed include newswriting instruction, including the use of computer labs; handwritten comments versus electronic comments; and…

Reports on the results from a comprehensive review of instructional practices in reading and writing elementary classrooms in Chelsea (Massachusetts) followed by a review of the corrective actions taken via the Boston University/Chelsea Public Schools Partnership and their outcomes. Children's classroom performance in reading and writing is…

Six instructional design principles are recommended to enable students with learning disabilities to comprehend and compose expository materials. The instructional principles are illustrated using the compare/contrast text structure. Charts provide examples and clarification of the strategies. (SW)

A nonwriting third grade student's encounter with writing is described. The approach used with the child's class involved choosing their own topic, writing at an individual pace, working with peers, using illustrations, and participating in conferences with the teacher. Through this approach, the bilingual student realized he could be literate and…