To gain insight into her students' natural styles of writing, one middle school teacher attempted to discover which students wrote notes, which developmental styles were being practiced, and how writing teachers could help. Capitalizing on students' notes to improve writing can succeed if teachers officially ban note writing and practice…

A focus on people--whether community members, students, historical figures, or fictional characters--and their motivations brings excitement to learning. A community's experts on everything from jazz music and Chinese tapestries to building construction can help students move inside history and other subjects. (MLH)

Describes Apple Computer's Early Language Connections (ELC) program. Designed for K-2 grades, ELC integrates Macintosh computers, children's literature, instructional software, and other curriculum materials, including sample lessons constructed around thematic units. The literature-based product uses a whole-language approach (with phonics…