Describes the variables for designing and maintaining writing groups within classroom settings. Advocates the use of writing groups. Provides outline of which structures are possible, what training is advisable, and what modifications can be made in view of changing class dynamics. (HB)

Provides an 86-item annotated bibliography of research published from July to December of 1994 in various areas of English pedagogy and instruction. Covers research in the areas of curriculum, language, literature, researcher education, teacher education, and writing. (HB)

Considers the current state of rhetoric and composition and its conceptualization of voice. Offers three studies of how voice and its relationship to self can be rethought from a dialogic perspective. Draws on theoretical works by Mikhail Bakhtin and Lev Vygotsky. Concludes with pedagogical strategies for incorporating a dialogic approach to voice…

Education can benefit from knowledge derived from cognitive and developmental psychology. Family demographics have actually improved between 1970 and 90 and so have NAEP scores. Three innovative programs demonstrating cognitive science applications include the Teaching Number Sense elementary math program, reciprocal teaching (reading strategy),…

This paper outlines six speech training guidelines to enhance oral communication development in children wearing cochlear implants. Specific teaching activities are presented to illustrate each guideline and recommended therapy tools are described. (Author)

The speech intelligibility of 18 children with prelingual deafness was examined after using cochlear implants for an average of 3 years. The average speech intelligibility score of the nine children using oral communication was significantly higher than that of nine children using total communication. (DB)

This article describes strategies to assist toddlers with special needs in inclusive settings to acquire social interaction skills. Strategies include: (1) arranging the environment; (2) group affection activities; (3) imitation of peers; (4) teacher prompts; (5) teacher reinforcement; (6) correspondence training; and (7) peer-mediated…

A teaching procedure incorporated high-probability request sequences to increase low-probability communication behaviors of a 4-year old and an 8-year old with severe disabilities. Findings included increases in communication responses by both participants, as well as increases in unprompted communication responses by one participant. (Author/DB)

Argues that formal English is a prestige dialect containing select constructions so unnatural as to be outside the domain of normal language acquisition. Among these are nominative pronouns used as conjoined subjects. Prestige usage is unavailable for consistent use. While formal education may have some effect on normal usage, that effect is…

A discussion of methods for measuring college faculty workload first reviews course load analysis, the traditional method used to define, measure, and report faculty workload, then suggests some data alternatives and related issues faced by institutional research offices. Suggestions are offered for locating existing workload data, compiling a…

Sketches what the ideal first-year teacher might look like. Gives a tongue-in-cheek view of a "super" beginning English teacher's experiences and skills. (HB)

Discusses a method developed by a teacher to help students improve their language proficiency while at the same time enhancing their understanding of the literature they read. Considers how to use learning modalities different from traditional reading and writing. (HB)

Describes how one English teacher used advertising to enhance literature instruction in the classroom. Focuses on the actual methods used in an eighth-grade English class, including analysis of commercials and research on ad agencies. (HB)

Presents (in an unconventional, diary-like format) the comments of two writing instructors regarding the first author's attempt to revamp a writing course. Reflects on the current state of theoretical worry about teaching writing in a way that puts the authors in conversation with other writing teachers. (RS)

Inclusion of students with disabilities in regular education in the United Kingdom calls for matching diversity of learning need with diversity of educational approach for all students. A three-dimensional matrix relating varied teaching approaches, types and levels of expertise, and grouping of pupils is proposed. (DB)