Argues that children's literature is a great tool for teaching writing in the elementary grades. Offers a list of fine children's literature the authors use to teach specific writing and "writerly" skills. (SR)

Examines the reference interview in the digital library environment. Compares and contrasts traditional face-to-face reference interviews with electronic interviews; and presents suggestions for effective electronic interviewing, including the importance of good written communication skills. (Author/LRW)

Reports findings of an ongoing study of cadet reporters at the media in Germany, Australia and Hong Kong. Concludes that regardless of the politico-cultural and linguistic contexts, qualities such as accuracy, thoroughness of research and clarity of writing remain the basics of any journalistic education. Notes the media organization has the…

Notes that names are the first words most children write and that learning to write their name can be highly motivating for preschoolers. Addresses: why preschool children should be encouraged to write their names; organizing and facilitating the sign-in process at school; how children develop their ability to write their names; and the benefits…

Presents advice to scholastic journalists on writing leads for feature stories. Discusses using a summary, a question, a direct quote, a first-person account, alliteration, a shocking statement, contrast, historical reference, descriptions, narratives, metaphors, and similes. (RS)

Examines 229 responses from members of the Association for Business Communication (United States) who rated the importance of 30 business communication concepts that were divided into six categories: communication theory, written communication, oral communication, employment communication, technology, and current business communication issues.…

Focuses on technicalities of writing for publication based on data that assessed the degree of association between various evaluative components and acceptance or rejection of manuscripts during the review process by editors. Suggests knowledge of the common technical writing errors combined with self-control method of behavioral change will aid…

Describes the attitude of the author, a journalism instructor, who emphasizes in his classes that journalism is work worth doing, even fun, despite the fact that its hard work for low pay. Notes the importance of accomplishing this while also demanding meticulousness in students' work. Describes ways the author accomplishes this. (SR)

Provides several recommendations that focus on improving student writing and improving the relationship between the writing science student and the science teacher. (Author/CCM)

In this study 538 children composed 1 oral and 1 written fictional story in both 2nd and 4th grades. Each child represented 1 of 4 diagnostic groups: typical language (TL), specific language impairment (SLI), nonspecific language impairment (NLI), or low nonverbal IQ (LNIQ). The stories of the TL group had more different words, more grammatical…

Several new books detailing various aspects of the lives and accomplishments of Wilbur and Orville Wright were written to mark the centennial of their famous 1902 entry into manned flight. This article describes eight books that are appropriate for early- to intermediate-level readers: (1) "Touching the Sky. The Flying Adventures of Wilbur and…

Teachers are often confronted with parents' concern of their children's use of invented spelling. Research has found that if educators inform parents of the positive benefits associated with invented spelling, their attitudes towards its use will become more favorable. Consequently, these favorable attitudes will encourage parents to be more…

How can teachers help their students write effectively and purposefully in a variety of genres despite the challenges of increased testing and curriculum mandates? Working within the writing workshop framework, a group of elementary school teachers participated in The Zine Project, a personalized approach to writing, in which they created their…

This article presents an adaptation from Communicator, 29 (January 2006), 5-6, in which the author discusses the value of a newspaper as well as the benefits of having a student-run newspaper at a school and highlights the use of school newspapers as a teaching tool. A school newspaper is an excellent way for students to practice their writing and…

The Word Writing CAFE is a new assessment tool designed for teachers to evaluate objectively students' word-writing ability for fluency, accuracy, and complexity. It is designed to be given to the whole class at one time. This article describes the development of the CAFE and provides directions for administering and scoring it. The author also…