Studies different methods of teaching argumentation to middle school students. Concludes that explicit instruction in argumentative form and argument structure sharpens students' judgment regarding the content and organization needed to generate logically connected arguments and improves students' writing of arguments. Finds that such an approach…

Presents brief annotations of 31 books (published in 1997) for children and young readers (of which libraries and schools might want multiple copies), grouped in the following categories: books with lessons for young writers; picture books packed with information; appreciating memoirs and biographies; for the poetry shelves; and books for the…

Describes how a writing project and oral presentation engage middle school English-as-Second-Language students in collaborative activities that develop their understanding of and respect for one another's heritage and an appreciation for their valuable cultural contributions to the greater community. (Author/VWL)

Explores the different responses to a whole-language curriculum of two average third-grade students. Describes the teacher and the curriculum, and the contrasting literacy behaviors of the students. Discusses how this year-long observation challenged the author's beliefs about children's need for whole-language instruction. (SR)

Suggests that writing instruction for students attending residential public schools for gifted students must be tailored to this unique population. Writing instruction should include the writing conventions of various disciplines, writing for the general public, writing across the curriculum, technical writing, expressive writing, and persuasive…

Describes a second-grade teacher-researcher's efforts to foster her Latino/a students' growth in writing. Focuses on her strategies (sometimes successful, sometimes not) to make the tacit aspects of writing explicit to her bilingual students via classroom talk. Searches for the right measure of explanation in two areas: fostering revision and…

A study investigated how four anglophone Caribbean students enrolled in an American college perceive their own language and writing in standard English, the morphosyntactic and semantic features that emerge when they write in standard English, and the extent to which discourse features revealed in their writing are attributable to Creole…

Summarizes how current scholarship is redefining and extending literacy understanding, materials, and instruction to encompass more than reading/writing print texts. Demonstrates principles for applying these conceptions. Offers three lesson plans and an account of their recent use to show how educators may apply changing literacy ideas to their…

Argues that a term paper worthy of a high grade must be more than a quick literature review. It should be a research project on a subject narrowly focused enough that the instructor will learn new things and in which the writing process requires numerous drafts. Offers a short guide intended to be given to students as part of the term paper…

Explores literature on educational change and examines two literacy innovations gone "bad": process writing and literature-based reading. Argues that growth occurs from the interaction of "bad" things with good ideas (which are never perfect ideas), thereby reshaping, reforming, and strengthening them. Examines how this affects educational policy,…

Discusses "textual intelligence": knowledge of how texts of all kinds work. Describes how the author uses grammar in his classroom to help students understand how to read and write better and how to think with greater clarity. Describes activities used before and after students read or write. Argues that grammar is a process that helps students…

Presents a 25-item annotated bibliography of journal articles (published between 1991 and 1994) describing writing and research exercises and approaches for helping students becomes aware of their own families and others. (TB)

Reviews faculty and student attitudes concerning the learning and growth of students for whom English is a second language (ESL students). Draws on case studies and hundreds of ESL student statements to evaluate the state of educational approaches and the directions they seem to be moving in. (TB)

One college teacher's approach to writing instruction focuses on grading to encourage learning, using a marking system that clarifies distinctions between content and mechanics, and removes the punitive aspect of grading. The system is rewarding and motivational for both students and teacher. In addition, the course includes individual…

This article describes the development of a Writers' Workshop to meet the needs of six highly verbal gifted middle school students. The class met for one hour a week and encouraged students to talk about writing and writers. Students shared their own writing and engaged in literary criticism. (Contains references.) (CR)