Elementary students in all grades at New Hampshire's Atkinson School participate in a writing program that encourages them to develop their own topics and make their own corrections and revisions, with help from fellow students and with guidance from teachers. (Author/PGD)

Describes how Wantagh Elementary School's reading lab became the School Publishing Company's Write-In Center where students can write stories and have them bound into books. Discusses the motivational benefits of a school publishing program. (SJL)

Offers reports on a method for teaching letter sound recognition through the use of familiar tunes, a project in which students create question-and-answer exercises about reading selections, and a Minneapolis project in which events featured in the daily news are described on microfiche for children to read while riding the school bus. (HOD)

Describes the development of curricular materials for a Portuguese heritage language program in Ontario, Canada, involving the active participation of the students themselves, with the added benefit of increased motivation and the acquisition of computer skills. (Author/CB)

Described is a summer program in which children designed museum exhibits based on their own research. (RM)

Recommends a photo essay project as a catalyst for accelerated language learning and as a method of integrating mainstream students into a regular class activity. Divides the project into three stages: a planning stage, an acting out and picture taking stage, and a caption writing stage. (AEA)

The Super3 research process equips students with their own set of handy tools so that they can take the most ordinary facts and transform them into amazing research projects. The second grade students have created Native American homes by applying the Super3 process and its tools such as graphic organizers, trash and treasure note taking, and the…

Describes theme binders designed by sixth graders as an independent study component that unites the class as a learning community, showcases student work, and illustrates developmental milestones for parents. Details theme binder components: (1) cover page; (2) introductory page outlining the theme and contents; (3) evaluation sections indicating…

Discusses how a teacher and university researcher brought to their students their concerns that students' portfolios were not "academic" enough. Notes that the teacher and researcher recognized the potential of literacy portfolios for strengthening a child's capacity to narrate the events of her life with authority and to tie these events to the…

Describes the development of Media Now, a program for students to develop their own media presentations, including slide and videotape delivery, for building visual literacy and understanding the use and effects of media propaganda. (CMV)

This article discusses how teachers can use project-based learning to teach social studies to gifted students. Because children select the topic, it is argued the inquiry is more meaningful to children. The roles of teachers and students in project-based classrooms are described, along with an elementary school's Japanese Exhibit project.…

Describes two multimedia projects at Brentwood Elementary School (Austin, Texas) that are models for training teachers, and students with special needs, about technology. Students authored a multimedia slide show and created HyperStudio stacks about Texas wildlife. The projects increased motivation and improved reading, writing, problem-solving,…

Elementary school physical education students plan and design their own games. Working in small groups, they write rules, measure playing areas, draw diagrams, and compile a game design book. Art, language arts, and mathematics teachers assist at various stages in the game design process. (PP)

Reports on a project in which children develop instructional technology skills while learning a great deal of science. Explains how children construct a multimedia presentation on the topic of invertebrates. (DDR)

Explains a project where urban gifted students designed and wrote a 62-page activity resource book for children. Participants (aged K-junior high) visited the marsh, researched topics, and created activities for inclusion in the book. Teachers believe that the writers used creative abilities, problem-solving, and higher levels of thinking in this…