Discussion of the controversy over freshman composition course requirements looks at the origins and evolution of such courses in American higher education, philosophy underlying rhetoric instruction, criticisms of freshman English courses, the writing-across-the-curriculum movement, attitudes about mechanical correctness in writing instruction,…

Discusses mixed ability teaching within the British comprehensive foreign language educational system. Findings reveal that the British system will not soon return to selective modern language teaching (MLT) focusing on grammar and translation, and it is concluded that differentiation is the key to successful MLT for the next century. (CK)

Description of the "Writing to Read" (WTR) program highlights an evaluation of the WTR experience with first graders at two British Columbia schools. Treatments for experimental and control groups are described and measures used for the comparisons are explained, including reading readiness, reading achievement, and writing achievement.…

Describes strategies which teachers can model to help their students become cognitively aware of language. Suggests that teachers model writing and reading strategies at the same time they demonstrate word processing functions. (MG)

Examines the characteristics and classroom performance of underachieving high school English students, and explores ways to respond to their special needs in the English classroom. Focuses on communication and writing through dialogue journals, and discipline through behavior modification techniques. (MM)

Examines early stages in children's handwriting, emphasizing the importance of teaching correct letter formation. Recommends (1) individual initial assessment and formative assessment throughout the teaching program; (2) teaching based on individual children's errors; and (3) careful observation of individual children in the process of writing.…

An interdisciplinary program for freshmen at Pace University (New York) focused on development of critical thinking, nonverbal communication, writing, and speaking skills. Two sections of an English course, two of a public speaking course, and one of philosophy adopted common texts, common themes, and cross-disciplinary reinforcement of skills.…

This article examines the results of writing assignments completed by an English-as-a-Second-Language student outside of a college writing class. the study focused on how the student used feedback on her writing to study and learn, for social interaction, and to find her academic voice. (21 references) (CK)

Discusses collaborative writing with hypermedia and multimedia tools as well as the requisite hardware and software support that foster cognitive and social skills. Proposes research on the impact on and possibilities for students and teachers using collaborative writing in hypermedia environments. (102 references) (JKP)

A teacher describes strategies for improving writing skills of rural at-risk high school students including writing stories for kindergarten students; developing portfolios that include descriptive, expository, and persuasive pieces; and participating in a career development unit that incorporates writing assignments. Students also learn to find…

Examines the premise that experience with computers can fundamentally alter teaching. Contends that the promise of computers and other educational technology is overstated. Presents a case study and summaries of other studies that suggest a teacher's instructional philosophy is a more powerful determinant of computer effectiveness. (CFR)

Examines the benefits of exchanging weekly letters among a teacher, first-grade students, and their parents during the school year. The teacher had the opportunity to model letter writing for the children and kept communication open with the parents. Parents were kept informed of their children's performance, and the children were involved in a…

Describes a productive collaboration between a teacher and a researcher who explored the procedures and consequences of involving parents in assessing their children's writing. An analysis of participants' responses to this role suggested it met with success. Suggestions for how the activity can be used as a valuable part of the educational…

Describes the development of a term paper resource center in public libraries that supports school assignments. A cooperative effort between the public library and school library is discussed, a topic file with appropriate resources listed is described, instructions for writing outlines and bibliographies are suggested, and provision of software…

Review of models traditionally used by different disciplines to describe thinking processes led to development of a general model and testing in six pure and applied matched disciplines (physics, engineering, psychology, education, English literature, composition). Professors applied the models to their courses in different ways and used various…