Describes a project for composition classes in which groups of five to six students conceive, write, design, print, and bind a book of their writings. Discusses methodology, defining form and content of the books, offering guidance, use of in-class time, evaluation, grading, and the results. Notes that the quality of student writing dramatically…

Investigates English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) students' native literacy-learning experiences, via written learning autobiographies of 26 students from at least eight different countries. Discusses writing instruction in students' native languages; most satisfying writing assessment in their native languages; and differences between writing in…

Examines how fifth-grade students at different stages of spelling approach open-word sorting activities with familiar words. Demonstrates the value of using open sorts as a means of assessing student thinking about words. Suggests that teachers should be careful using scaffolding techniques--they need to establish the nature and purpose of sorting…

Examines and criticizes two popular conceptions of student voice: (1) voice as individual expression and (2) voice as participation. Proposes that student voice should be seen as a project that involves appropriation, social struggle, and becoming. Expounds that this conception of voice reaffirms the agency of student writers in the production of…

Using path analysis, studied the role of self-efficacy beliefs concerning academic attainment and regulation of writing, academic goals, and self-standards in writing-course attainment of 95 college freshmen. Different facets of perceived self-efficacy played a key role in writing-course attainment. (SLD)

A study explored whether a writing-assessment rubric could be used as an effective teaching strategy with 10 deaf children (grades 5 through 7). From fall to spring, students showed significant improvement in four writing qualities and no significant improvement in five qualities. The ability to individualize rubrics is discussed. (Author/CR)

Analyzes conventional ways of teaching writing in English-as-a-Foreign-Language (EFL) classes. Current theories on teaching writing are reviewed and practical writing activities and tasks applicable to the EFL classroom are presented. (Author/VWL)

Observes that writing is a process of learning and that students learn best when the writing process is well-organized. Outlines a process for writing, named DRAFT (Design, Role, Audience, Format, and Topic), that bridges social studies with critical thinking and problem solving, and allows writing projects to be easily transformed into models…

Describes a classroom-based research project that introduced explicit writing pedagogy with students whose previous experience was with process writing. Finds improvement and suggests a successful literacy pedagogy (1) is underpinned by the functional view of language and is taught explicitly and systematically; (2) combines instruction with…

Reports on the application of a North American system of research writing in a high-intermediate class of English-as-foreign-language learners in Colombia. The system was adapted from a variety of sources representing typical approaches to the introduction of academic research writing at the university level in the United States. (Author/VWL)

This article discusses the development of the story form, examines the written narrative patterns of students with learning disabilities, and discusses the reasons for their difficulties with this genre of writing. Instructional approaches are presented that have been effective in improving written narrative skills of these students. (Contains…

Interviews two poets who teach writing to special education students in various middle and high schools around New York. Discusses expectations, specific writing exercises or poems that work well, and strategies for maintaining focus and control or engaging unengaged students. (SR)

This article describes implementation of a Sharing Chair as part of literacy program in a third and fourth grade special education learning disabilities class. Following free writing in their personal journals, students could share and receive feedback from a peer/teacher audience. The article presents results of analysis of videotape recordings…

Describes a year-long study of five fifth grade students with learning disabilities with written language deficits that used a specially designed computer program, ROBO-Writer, as a writing tool to assist them in a weekly writing curriculum. Discusses effects on the students' behavior, attitudes, and their written products. (Contains 32…

Compares two landmark papers in biology to show how different rhetorical choices can influence the impact of a scientific paper. Argues that papers by Watson and Crick, and Avery, MacLeod and McCarty that present revolutionary biological findings provide an interesting and valuable case study for teaching students the importance of rhetoric and…