Demonstrates how writing can grow from the ongoing curriculum by discussing types of writing included in a unit on pets, suggests areas of the curriculum and materials that are good springboards to writing, and describes instructional materials that focus on writing. (ET)

Students can be motivated to share their reading interests and their writing talents by creating book report mobiles. After students have read a book, they begin their mobile by attaching string to an empty box which has been covered with plain paper. Next, they decorate one side of the mobile with a drawing which illustrates the story or they…

Discusses the need for systematic exploration of claims about the advantages of language experience dictations; recommends that teachers guide the rereading and editing of early dictations to facilitate comprehending behaviors, and that they help children explore writing conventions as their dictations indicate a readiness to learn them. (ET)