Reports on successfully using letter writing and dialogue journals in a classroom where the children's writing tended to be remarkable similar because they did not insert their personalities into their writing. Their writing grew individualistic, and their vocabularies improved through invented spelling. (SKC)

This thematic unit involves 1st and 2nd grade students in exploration of their own unique and special qualities. The interdisciplinary unit connects knowledge related to art, language arts, applied mathematics, social studies, and science. Lesson activities focus on topics of family, friends, health, and emotions. The unit encourages students to…