The authors review studies which suggest that sentence combining exercises might improve composition in ways that traditional grammar has long been alleged to do, particularly in the areas of sentence structure, usage, ideas, and style. Implications are drawn for grammar instruction in the middle school. (Author/SJL)

Sample sentence-combining lessons developed to accompany the first-year A-LM German textbook are presented. The exercises are designed for language manipulation practice; they involve breaking down more complex sentences into simpler sentences and the subsequent recombination into complex sentences. All language skills, and particularly writing,…

One law teacher uses writing assignments in a domestic relations course to teach the law, teach students how to think, and teach how to begin a legal task when it is not clear where to start. Students draft a petition for a dissolution and a letter to a client advising of the likely property settlement. (MSE)

Looks into the functions of children's writing to determine what children can meaningfully write about. Discusses research on the functions of writing and then suggests assignments where children write letters to different audiences, such as to themselves and to their future children. These assignments help children learn about themselves. (SKC)

Reports on successfully using letter writing and dialogue journals in a classroom where the children's writing tended to be remarkable similar because they did not insert their personalities into their writing. Their writing grew individualistic, and their vocabularies improved through invented spelling. (SKC)

Describes how a teacher paired a low-ability, difficult migrant child with a high-ability child for classroom writing activities and how the low-ability child's writing improved measurably as a result. (SRT)

Outlines the "sandwich approach" to teaching remedial writing--a technique for teaching students the structure of a paragraph that removes the barriers of unfamiliar vocabulary (e.g. topic sentence, unity) and that appeals to the student's sense of sight and taste. Includes sample exercises for practical application. (NKA)

Noting that students in groups learn more effectively when working cooperatively than when working competitively or individualistically, presents guidelines, assignments, and class activities designed to foster cooperative learning. Describes such student-student interaction sessions as describing sense perception details, receiving peer feedback,…

Presents the idea that many tactics sports coaches use in training and improving athletes' performance can be adapted for the instruction of remedial writers. (JC)

Reports on a study which viewed writing instruction as an interactive social process between the teacher and students. Written responses to student writing assignments assessed content rather than accuracy of spelling or grammar. States that written feedback encouraged greater quantity and quality of writing with spelling accuracy being maintained…

Suggests techniques for the efficient use of one word processor among many students by dividing the writing process into stages of prewriting, writing, editing, and publishing. Examples of exercises and evaluations, a guide to producing a book, and a list of publications that accept children's writing are provided. (CLB)

Presents writing activities appropriate in the mathematics classroom in the five categories of direct use of language, linguistic translation, summarizing, applied use of language, and creative use of language. (PK)

Investigates the effects of two types of written comments on student compositions and learning of course content. Supports the idea that content comments seem to help students write better essays. Suggests that writing reflectively and thoughtfully about a topic increases learning of that topic. (JK)

Discusses the differences between developmental students and their teachers in terms of pragmatism and background. Describes the use of a classroom publishing project, which requires students to contribute articles to the magazine and share editing responsibilities. Discusses the benefits of the approach. (DMM)

Discusses how the works of Joyce, "Dubliners" and "Ulysses" specifically, can be used to help developing writers learn about the process of writing and as material for writing exercises. (SRT)