Describes a written assignment designed to help students develop a framework for understanding the meaning of the concept of social imagination. Defines social imagination as a pattern of questioning and understanding the world. Suggests that students must develop a mindset that allows them to understand the intersection between personal biography…

Describes a class activity in which children write "news stories" concerning what happened to them over the weekend. Notes that the activity is enjoyable and effective in facilitating literacy. (RS)

Describes a writing assignment that places emphasis on objective writing, including a special focus on transitions as a way of encouraging students to give greater attention to specific details. Emphasizes the need to be objective and factual and the need for precision and accuracy. (MG)

Demonstrates a way to encourage students to take risks in their writing. (SR)

Asserts that using cartoons to generate explanations in writing can be an effective assignment. (PRA)

Describes an activity used with a fifth-grade mathematics class in which students solved a problem and wrote a convincing argument to prove their solution made sense. (SR)

Presents and discusses a course outline for a high school playwriting course (for which English credit is earned). Offers several writing assignments and a series of sequential steps designed to help students reach the goal of writing a one-act play. (SR)

Describes the activities in a high school English class aimed at instructing students concerning the concept of "historical fiction." Outlines class activities in which students are asked to write fictional narratives based on the historical facts concerning the sinking of the "Titanic." (HB)

Discusses 10 brief lessons using the daily newspaper that can add a variety of interesting and worthwhile activities to the English classroom. (RS)

Reviews and critiques a new writing textbook by LaRene Despain: "Writing: A Workshop Approach." Considers especially the types of writing assignments advocated and the kinds of skills needed for researched argumentative essays. (HB)

Describes five poetry assignments and presents examples of students' poetry written in response to the assignments. (RS)

Describes a project in which kindergarten students used maps and computers to create a history on their own community. (SR)

Describes a major portfolio project in a business-communication class which both develops students' critical-thinking skills (as they prepare five analyses of different business-communication situations chosen from a list of 10 options) and provides opportunities for their development as writers. (SR)

Reports observations of two courses of Community Service Writing wherein the teacher incorporated community-based writing assignments in order to help students writing outside the university. Finds that the curriculum did not support students' transitions to nonacademic settings. Calls for a model of rhetorically focused composition instruction…

Describes a process used for group assignments in a business communication course which holds all group members accountable by using a structure of rotating responsibility. Discusses selecting assignments and implementing the process, noting how this structure requires equivalent advance preparation from all members and provides opportunities for…