Suggestions to help elementary educators teach students to use adjectives sparingly yet effectively include presenting and discussing definitions of adjectives from grammar books, incorporating models of adjective use from literature, explaining redundant adjective use, avoiding grammar exercises that require rewriting to add adjectives, and…

Strategies developed by teachers for using word processing software in writing programs for grades K-6 are presented. These strategies will work with just one computer in a classroom. Two software programs are described. (MT)

Because children are experts in at least one subject--themselves--their best written work is usually autobiographical. This article suggests various specific autobiographical writing assignments teachers might want to use with their students. (JMK)

This article discusses the WRITE ON! software library which consists of almost 500 literature-based writing activities for grades K-12. These interactive writing guides on disk integrate word processing into literature-based instruction. (IAH)

This article describes a poetry workshop to create a snapshot of unique moments in family history during the holidays. The workshop includes a working on a family photo poetry poster and participating in extension activities (e.g., writing personal poetry notebooks). A reproducible offers a holiday album of poetry snapshots. (SM)

A first grade teacher describes a writing program developed with students that begins with lists and half sentences, through learning to edit, and finally word processing on the computer. The tell-it-to-the-teacher box, daily logs, personal dictionaries, and special person's books are explained. (MT)

Teachers can help elementary students cope at the beginning of the school year by assisting them in getting to know one another. Writing is a good tool for bridging the gap between personal and school lives. The article suggests writing activities and explains how to create a good writing environment. (SM)

Presents a step-by-step approach to using sentences from children's reading and writing to boost spelling skills while incorporating the principles and tying them in with curriculum areas. The steps include choosing a word, coaxing multiple strategies, branching to other words, making the connection, and using the sentence in many different ways.…

An experienced teacher describes how to provide students with a real audience to motivate them to write. Suggestions include writing letters to make a difference in the community, preparing newsletters, compiling class literary magazines, and writing for local newspapers and businesses or for commercial children's magazines. (SM)

Language arts skills and writing projects can be combined with activities that teach the fundamentals of word processing to improve the language arts curriculum. Suggested lessons cover five writing and editing operations common to most word processing software. (DF)

The author describes a group of nine talented, creative third graders with whom she experimented with exercises designed to develop and enhance creativity. Included is a list of creative writing ideas. (KC)

Examines the reasons why a child's writing gets bogged down and discusses ways in which the child can be gently encouraged to take writing risks. Also included are descriptions of writing exercises designed to stretch student creativity. (GLR)

Discusses characteristics of lifetime writers: seeing writing's purpose, initiating writing, expressing their own voice, and working well alone. Teachers can encourage this behavior by demonstrating writing, allowing time and choice, using writing skills frequently, demonstrating writing conventions, expecting more, and responding to writing. (SM)

Describes how to become a better writing teacher, discussing strategies for students who do not finish their work, how to help children from other cultures write in their first language and in English, and how to help children with good ideas but poor writing and spelling skills. A game to help children understand conventions is included. (SM)

Teachers can encourage their elementary students to write by demonstrating writing themselves frequently throughout the day. The paper discusses how teachers can become more comfortable with their own writing in order to use it to teach, then offers suggestions on how to write in class and share it with students. (SM)