Complexities involved in staffing a legal research and writing program with regular faculty members, as contrasted with instructors or teaching assistants, are addressed. Development, implementation, and maintenance of regular staffing are discussed. Available from Union University, 80 Scotland Ave., Albany, NY 12208; $2.50, entire issue. (MSE)…

Discusses the reluctance of composition students to write about personal subjects in course assignments. Characterizes the "bluffer," the "failer," and the "overachiever" in composition courses. Suggests strategies for: (1) creating a nonthreatening environment; (2) grading on progress, content, and mechanics; and (3) minimizing students' fear of…

Reports classroom observations and dialogues with children that show children's understandings and use of punctuation; reports data showing that children in a class in which punctuation was taught in the context of writing learned more about punctuation than children in a class in which it was taught in isolation. (ET)

Reports that sentence combining studies have consistently recorded significant gains in writing improvement at all grade levels and that, while reading comprehension gains have not been as significant, fewer studies have been conducted in that area. (FL)

Valgardson discusses his attitudes toward his work and toward the teaching of writing. (RL)

The author suggests 15 ways in which teachers may improve student attitudes toward writing and teacher attitudes toward the evaluation of student writing. (KC)

Recommends using literature to increase elementary school children's interest in reading and to provide them with forms and patterns for writing. (FL)

Explains specific writing strategies that teachers from other disciplines have used effectively in their classes. Describes the interdisciplinary project from which these strategies evolved. Focuses on designing writing assignments linked to course objectives and responding to student writing for its value as discovery learning. (RL)

Practical suggestions from teachers include activities for defining new English words, using free association and writing, stocking the sustained silent reading library, and using the compare/contrast strategy for word recognition. (MKM)

A case study of a six-year-old reveals that unfounded assumptions about language growth and development may debilitate rather than facilitate the process of language literacy. Recommendations are made for open-entry language activities where constraints are allowed to evolve in a risk free language environment. (JN)

Among the various methods used by a classroom teacher to encourage writing in her first grade class are letter writing, writing a book, writing notes to each other, and keeping journals. The desire to communicate is the primary motivating factor in the development of both oral and written language. (JN)

Examines structural ties that children use to join their sentences into a coherent paragraph or composition. (HTH)

Describes writing assignments in which students develop paragraphs incorporating various sense images. (RL)

Describes Ventura College's improved English composition program. Reviews the concerns considered in designing the program. Describes the umbrella course required of all first-semester composition students, its testing component, and the instructor's determination of the kind of credit awarded based on student performance. Discusses staffing,…

Presents examples of messages to a reading teacher from kindergarten students that combine drawing and elementary writing skills. Emphasizes the important role of teachers and other adults and of reading and writing tools in the development of children's reading and writing abilities. (HTH)