Explains how instructors can use a journal assignment to facilitate and monitor student groups without directly participating in them. Shows how students learn how to run groups that succeed. (EL)

This Digest recounts the varied experiences, for both elementary school students and teachers, of producing a classroom newspaper. In the particular instance discussed in the Digest, for the students, it was a chance to collaborate with their peers, to pursue their own special interests, and to see their work published. For the teacher-adviser, it…

For one educator, "Parents as Writing Partners" has been one of the most rewarding experiences of her teaching career. Her seventh-grade students got closer to their parents' thoughts and feelings through encouragement to reinforce their writing, conferring, and editing skills. When parents are asked to share in an assignment, they get closer to…

Describes a collaborative writing project in which students must identify key variables, search and read relevant literature, and reason through a research idea by working closely with a partner. The end result is a polished laboratory report in the APA style. The class includes a peer review workshop prior to final editing. (MJP)

Discusses a collaborative writing assignment on the Annunciation and the difficulties posed by summoning personal experiences to help in writing about an unfamiliar situation. The resulting poem is included. (HTH)

Discusses the use of collaborative writing for children who are resistant to schooling--who are delayed developmentally for social, psychological, or biological reasons. Provides examples of collective writing centered around a novel created by a junior high school remedial class. (SKC)

Describes a project in which students in a community college basic mathematics class worked collaboratively to write their own book on fractions. Students reinforced their math and cooperative skills, gained confidence, organized and revised their ideas, and created their own examples. Relates teacher and student responses to the project. (DMM)

The newspaper program at the New Suncook School, Lovell, Maine, is a multi-level, language arts based unit designed to develop in students strong writing and interpersonal relationship skills, and to bring relevance to writing. The monthly newspaper features interviews, surveys, news, and some fiction stories written by students. The newspaper is…

Noting that, in general, collaborative peer writing groups benefit students but that teacher and student preparation would improve the efficacy of collaborative writing method, this bibliography provides detailed information on sources useful for introducing writing students to the vocabulary and terminology of the composition community. Materials…

Describes the Partnership Story Project in which students from two countries participate in collaborative story writing projects. Suggests that the project increases intercultural understanding by aiding in recognition of subjective dimensions of culture. Includes a sample story from the project. (DK)

Surveying a project that was conducted through the Center for the Study of Writing at Carnegie Mellon University, this book details the classroom inquiries conducted during the 4-year project (1988-1992) by 33 teacher-researchers from secondary and postsecondary classrooms. The articles and their authors are: (1) "Teachers as Theory…

This book is the product of a collaborative partnership between the two authors to develop a year-long literary/literacy program for first grade children based on bridging learning in the library and the classroom. Some of the objectives of the program described in the book are: to provide opportunities for children to experience personal…

This paper describes the design and orientation of a collaborative writing model for culturally diverse college students, noting that collaborative writing has grown in popularity in recent years because of its success in engaging diverse students more fully in the writing process. The model is premised on a socially designed and consensus…

Originally developed as part of a project for the Department of Defense Schools (DoDDS) system, this learning package on peer response in learning to write is designed for teachers who wish to upgrade or expand their teaching skills on their own. The package includes an overview of the project; a comprehensive search of the ERIC database; a…

Collaborative activities can be an ideal means to improve teacher preparation experiences. The article discusses the benefits of collaboration for both teacher educators and K-12 teachers. It details the benefits of collaborative writing projects and provides a checklist of questions professionals should ask when they contact each other to discuss…