A study examined the value of two different sets of variables as predictors of first-grade writing achievement. A set consisting of six variables measuring cognitive development was found not to predict writing achievement, while another set consisting of seven subtests of the Canadian Readiness Test was found to be a significant predictor.…

Traces the development of a project that consisted of first graders developing a book. (DF)

Explores the patterns in children's talk about their writing, by means of transcribed conversations during daily writing/sharing sessions in a first grade classroom. Discusses the importance of this kind of talk. (HTH)

Reports on a recent study of first grade writing efforts that confirms the importance of scribble in the writing process when it is an accepted language behavior in the classroom. (FL)

Describes a longitudinal study of first-grade students' progress in learning punctuation. Examines the classroom as a writing environment, then presents a picture of the children's progress in learning to use apostrophes, quotation marks, and periods, drawing several implications for teaching. (HTH)

Describes a first grade classroom in which children learn the concept of "author" by writing their own books, which are then shared with the rest of the class. (HTH)

Sets forth educational inferences drawn from a classroom incident involving a first-grade child and her first story writing experience. (FL)

Describes a study in which twenty first grade students wrote daily in journals, which were then analyzed at the end of the school year. (JC)

Offers a variety of practical writing ideas that can help first-grade teachers encourage writing across the curriculum. (FL)

Reviews a project in which first-grade children learned to write and became confident, fluent, and enthusiastic writers. Contains examples of their writing. (FL)