Arguing that students must understand historical methodology in order to fully comprehend and appreciate history, Woodman presents an exercise that provides for a concrete, hands-on writing and evaluation of an historical essay by students. Describes the project in which students use primary sources to write about the Freedmen's Bureau and…

Describes a joint story writing session in which remedial English students and their teacher thought through, pondered, and revised a narrative text that was based on their previous reading of a novel. Argues that such an activity offers students opportunities for reflection and literacy development. (RS)

Describes a kindergarten classroom project that promoted student choice and decision making by providing time for the students to pursue their own interests. This student-directed project that included cooperative learning, parent involvement, and upper-grade students as assistants gave kindergartners the opportunity for independent and…

Describes a study of the effectiveness of using a content analysis-based approach for teaching developmental students to summarize texts. Indicates that developmental students can be taught to understand top-level structure and use this knowledge when constructing summaries. Suggests that students can be taught in cost-effective, group situations.…

Fourteen holistic, meaning-based reading and writing activities appropriate for students with learning disabilities are described, along with the theoretical background of the paradigm. As children experiment, approximate, and discover language naturally and socially, their immersion in authentic spoken and written language facilitates learning to…

Reviews research on the spelling performance of regular and special populations (learning-disabled and ESL) students. Offers research-supported instructional strategies that can help such students become more accurate at spelling when engaged in real writing activities. (RS)

The value of student dialog journals written to another student (unknown) rather than to the teacher is described. Thirteen practical tips for implementation are offered. It is noted that the technique is not suitable for all students, nor is it meant to be the only component in a writing program. (Contains 14 references.) (LB)

Reviews four specific prewriting activities designed to foster prewriting and avoid premature drafting on the computer: freewriting, electronic journal-keeping, idea-generation, and online "conversations." Provides hints for developing lesson files, reviews current prewriting and hypertext software, and provides tips on selecting software. (14…

Presents nine tips for planning effective second-language writing lessons. Tips are based on three principles (writing is a means of communication, writing is a process, and eliciting oral or written production of foreign language varies according to the degree of guidance teachers give to students). The paper offers six sample writing lessons for…

Parents, college students, and high-school students can enrich the work of communities of learners. Many high-school teachers enthusiastically host student teachers because they learn so much--such as how to incorporate diversity into lessons. Informal writing exercises can elicit helpful information from high-school students. (MLH)

Explores the use, revision, and evaluation of a written, self-paced tour that precedes librarian-led instruction at the Indiana State University library. Presents student reactions to the tour and its accompanying exercises. Guidelines for administering the tour and a questionnaire on tour use are appended for readers to answer and submit to the…

Compares formal writing (analytical essays) and informal writing (short answer workbook-type exercises identifying main themes and ideas) as part of English-as-a-Second-Language reading education. Examines informal and formal writing assignments given to groups of students of comparable reading ability. Shows that formal writing did more to…

The author measured endorsement of the New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) in college students following their involvement in a 2- to 3-week environmental problem module focused on global environmental problems and energy issues. The module included readings, discussion, and a writing exercise, and was presented during 3 sequential semesters within a…

How can literature teachers foster an ethic of care in the classroom? How can literature and imaginative pedagogical strategies facilitate education of the moral imagination and overall training of the ethical thinker? This essay explores some theoretical reflections on moral education through literature and, in particular, suggests practical…

This essay considers the many benefits of journal writing. It explains how one person learned, during a 26-mile commute, to talk into a tape recorder slowly, leaving sizable pauses between phrases to facilitate transcription later on; how journal writing is a way to catch moments in the day, to describe a scene or to make connections that one…