This article explores how a first grade class re-defines what constitutes writing achievement. The young children's authoring practices upended notions of writing as the individual production of "model" texts with predetermined features, as was emphasized in curricular guidelines and high-stakes assessments, and of writing as disembedded from…

Discusses recent advances in technology that make it possible to integrate images, sounds, and text in multimedia computer environments. Presents several case studies of intermediate-grade students who, although reluctant writers, explored their potential by using visual and aural media as sources for texts. (RS)