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.…

Interviewing for campus publications is discussed. Ten tips for conducting successful interviews are presented including: bend and grovel if need be to get an interview, sidestep the word interview, always be early for an interview, use a tape recorder, and get anecdotes. (MLW)

The paper describes four categories of experience that help elementary students with learning disabilities in a writing process classroom. They are: (1) a sense of a community of learners, (2) control of one's writing, (3) collaborative and independent problem solving, (4) opportunities for generalization and transfer of learning. (Author/DB)

Presents results of a German study distinguishing between effects of knowledge on writing and re-effects of writing on knowledge. Reports that knowledge primarily affects the content domain of text, especially topic relatedness and logical structure of text, but not the linguistic domain. Concludes that both oral and written verbalization enables…

Describes how teachers can help students improve their critical thinking skills by watching movie segments then writing and/or drawing what they think happened earlier or would happen later in the movie. A word processing or graphics program makes it easy to create written and graphic accounts. (SM)

The nine-step grid strategy provides prompts in both structure and content areas to improve the narrative writing skills of students with learning disabilities. The steps include developing a story grid with characters, setting, action, emotion, and so on; planning and writing the story; and completing both cognitive and technical edits. (DB)

Twenty learning-disabled students (grades 5 and 6) who received procedural facilitation for narrative composition, including story grammar cue cards and a metacognitive check-off procedure, produced better quality stories than a control group of 10 students. Including verbal reminders to develop characters did not affect story quality. (Author/JDD)

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)

The literature seminar format meets the needs of gifted students for intellectual challenges, complex curricular experiences, creative research and writing activities, and stimulating interactions. Three seminars conducted in the English curriculum at a special school for gifted students are described: "Dickens and the Industrial…

It is argued that most foreign language writing assignments are without meaningful content or context for the student, and directions given by the teacher provide little guidance or impetus for personal investment in the project. Several writing exercises emphasizing these aspects of composition, and criteria for evaluation, are offered. (MSE)

A writing style manual was developed by group of teachers and administrators to reduce number of writing formats preferred by different teachers, eliminate guesswork about formats among teachers and students, and add consistency to students' writing experiences. Manual is designed for use by students in grades 6-12 who are writing assignments,…

A six-phase theoretical model for the teaching of summarization is presented, and the concept of direct instruction is applied to teaching students to summarize lengthy selections. A sample fourth grade lesson is included, though the plan itself is also recommended for use with older students needing assistance. (JDD)

An instructional method called Transformation-Based Writing is presented that encourages second graders to engage in writing strategies that are typically more advanced. The method begins with writers establishing goals centering on content and genre and achieving the goals through iterative application of problem-solving operations. (Author/JDD)

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…

Describes a project where students in an Italian elementary school wrote letters about Columbus and his contributions. Finds that these students have not lost their view of Columbus as a great hero. Includes a list of organizations and resources for teaching about Italy and Columbus. (CFR)