Describes six key guidelines for developing usable procedure manuals, including defining the audience; designing a standard format; preparing an outline; using a clear, concise writing style; testing the procedures; and "finalizing" the product with indices, glossaries, appendices, and section tabs. Well-written manuals can increase…

Discusses ten approaches to manuscript development to help counseling professionals to overcome writing difficulties. (BL)

Discusses the literacy progress of an 11-year-old boy with deafness who had reading difficulties. Strategies teachers can use in the classroom are described, including using a variety of books, encouraging writing or dictating storybooks, keeping a file box of word cards, checking students' spelling, and using finger spelling. (CR)

This article discusses methods for teaching students to improve the introductory paragraphs of their papers and essays. The use of specific concrete images, interesting contrasts and facts, and illustrative metaphors to grab the reader's attention is explored, and examples of students' writing and brainstorming processes are provided. (PB)

Helping students in grades 3 through 11 to master the mechanics of language, this book describes the "Caught'ya" approach to teaching grammar, in which students correct error-filled sentences that form an ongoing humorous plot. The book notes that the sentences are presented 3 to 5 times a week at the start of class and take less than 10…

Based on recent findings in writing research, this document offers the following recommendations on how teachers can improve the writing skills of their students: (1) spend time on activities that require real writing rather than short answers and fill-in-the-blank exercises; (2) have students spend more time putting their thoughts on paper in a…

The article describes use of dialogue journals (in which teacher and student communicate privately in writing) to improve the writing of learning disabled students. Dialogue journals provide a means for students to use reading and writing in meaningful, purposeful ways. (DB)

Intended primarily for Kentucky classroom teachers and administrators, this idea book first identifies three major issues that members of the Writing Advisory Committee felt should be addressed so that writing instruction will not suffer because of use of the writing portfolio. The broad issues emphasized in the idea book are for teachers to: (1)…

Suggestions are offered of ways to encourage the development of writing skills through the supportive sharing and provision of feedback. Suggestions are included for classroom writers' circles, writers' conferences, and editing/revising strategies. (DB)

Written by teachers for teachers, this book, the first publication of the Oklahoma Writing Project, contains a collection of articles which describe successful strategies and activities for teaching composition. The articles, which deal with a variety of topics, listed with their authors, are as follows: (1) The Writing Process (Gail E. Tompkins…

Twelve teaching strategies are suggested to help learning-disabled students learn to evaluate their writing skills. Checklists for scoring writing samples and for self-evaluation are included. (DB)

This paper presents guidelines for teaching students to develop lifelike characters in their written stories. The guidelines call for exposing students to books and stories, focusing on student knowledge and experience, providing explicit instruction in character development, and providing story writing practice. The paper includes a thoughts and…

Art appreciation activities can reinforce hearing impaired students' reading, writing, and reasoning skills. Three such activities involving the works of Grandma Moses are (1) reading and researching about art and artists; (2) attending an artist's exhibition; and (3) attempting to paint like a chosen artist. (CB)

Fundamental changes are needed in English classes if writing is to be taught. Students must have time to write, and they must have someone reading and responding to their writing. Students need to pay attention to their writing and the writing of others, and this writing should be as important as well-known literary works. (MD)

Presents activities for students with or without behavior disorders that promote active learning of language arts skills, including creative thinking, writing, listing, and oral presentation. Activities begin with a lunch bag, can be adapted across grade or skill levels, and used from independent to large-group work arrangements. (Author/CR)