Compares the written production of 12 sixth grade English-as-a-second-language (ESL) students on 3 teacher-assigned tasks with their writing to the teacher in dialogue journals. Finds that the quantity and maturity of the dialogue journal writing was at least equivalent to the assigned writing on all measures. (RS)

Three teachers (one university professor, one secondary teacher, and one K-12 language arts coordinator) formed a writing group to generate texts about the phenomenon of student autobiographical writing in the classroom. The paper discusses the benefits of autobiographical writing to students and describes teachers' experiences with student…

Discusses ways that whole-language teachers can address the concerns raised by administrators, teachers, and parents about the use of portfolios in language arts classes. Suggests that teachers can use student self-evaluation and other methods to assign grades in portfolio-based classes, and master various techniques to reduce the time needed to…

Describes how one teacher of business communication teaches a unit on international communication with the aid of international students. Outlines the steps for carrying out a five-session unit employing foreign students. (HB)

Discusses the lack of emphasis on writing skills in elementary and intermediate language classes, the purpose and process of writing, and general recommendations for the incorporation of writing into the language curriculum. Contains specific examples of writing tasks, including the composition of telegrams, recipes, postcards, directions, and…

A review of the bibliographic instruction (BI) format for business and career information in a business writing class at Louisiana State University revealed that a new framework was needed. Problems of the current format, results of student surveys, questioning techniques, learning models, and the role of assignments were examined. The conceptual…

Suggests that those teaching "basic" social studies should establish a climate of success for students, who often suffer from low self-esteem. Recommends organized, brief, concise daily lessons, consistent routines, and frequent opportunities for student writing. Explains a Model Student Program in which the reading teacher acts as a…

Study looked at the amount, kinds, and development of required writing tasks in courses taken by elementary teachers educated at Eastern Montana College. Instructors for 61 courses were interviewed. Results showed that reflective writing assignments were minimal and that 33 percent of the courses had minimal to nonexistent writing requirements.…

Suggests that the cultural diversity of the English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) classroom can enhance instruction. Proposes application of Paulo Freire's problem-posing approach to teaching basic college writing in the multiethnic setting. Identifies teaching principles that have proven useful in urban testing. Discusses the integration of problem…

Argues that, when instructors consider only the socially constructed in their classrooms, the intricacies of individuals are lost. Points out that, when teachers think students are completing assignments, the students are actually completing their own understanding of the assignment. Suggests that instructors explain repeatedly what they expect of…

Describes an experimental six-week summer intensive course in basic writing in which the instructor assumes the identity of "Ms. Mystery" and exchanges weekly letters with each of the students. Provides excerpts as well as analysis of these letters and argues the efficacy of letter writing as a pedagogic tool. (KEH)

Presents a case study of poetry writing in a fifth grade classroom. Shows not only how writing and reading come together but also how children come together with each other and with published poets. (RS)

Discusses how the computer can be used to help students learn to revise their writing through peer review, rereading their writing, and reacting and reshaping their writing in response to their peer's comments. (MG)

Describes a writing strategy that teaches students how to write a first person narrative and revise for more exact and fresh vocabulary words. (MG)

Describes a term paper assignment where students are allowed to pick a topic that interests them based upon the course focus and course format. Authors have found that, if students are interested in a topic and it is relevant to them, some of the onerousness that students associate with writing can be significantly reduced. (PR)