Writing from sources is an important academic skill but students find it a difficult skill to learn. The lesson study method was used to design and evaluate learning and teaching strategies aimed at improving students' writing from sources skills. The team developed a seven-part lesson plan and associated learning activities and practice…

A study was conducted at Shoreline Community College (SCC) to determine the differences in the personal characteristics and attitudes of students who excel in freshman composition courses and those who fail. Telephone interviews were conducted with 25 students who obtained a B+ or higher and 25 students who received an F in freshman composition…

Designed as a looseleaf resource, a supplement to established teaching plans, and an aid to meeting individual needs, this compilation of writing exercises represents the responses of 157 teachers from 87 two-year colleges to the request, "Describe a successful writing task -- what it is, how you teach it, and why." The compilation includes tasks…

A description is provided of the use of a group process approach to the Freshman English research paper at El Paso Community College. After highlighting problems associated with traditional approaches to freshman research papers, an overview of the group process approach is provided, along with warnings for instructors who might view the approach…

Describes the use of student verbalization and immediate feedback, cooperative learning, a concept/discovery-based approach, and creative classroom activities in a remedial mathematics class for first-year students at Medgar Evers College. Compares student achievement with that in other sections of the same course. Includes sample problems. (DMM)