Reports on research which argues that if students are to develop their own writers' voices, they must be given the time to mull over and make changes to their writing and to discuss and appreciate the voice in the writing of others. (SR)

Explores thoughts about what teachers owe young writers in helping them learn to spell. Considers the variety of ideas in the educational community on this topic, discussing briefly invented spelling, spelling in the writing process, word lists, and spelling patterns. (SR)

Presents and discusses a speller's bill of rights, consisting of nine items to guide a spelling curriculum and ensure that children leave elementary school able to express themselves strongly and effectively in writing, including the ability to ensure that words in their writing are spelled appropriately without spending hours on proofreading. (SR)

Presents and explains a framework that can be used to determine the potential authenticity of teaching practices. Describes the potential for authenticity offered by thematic literacy instruction. (SR)

Argues that it is a mistake to aim for equality of performance in English because boys and girls are literate in different ways and need to play to their greatest strengths while at the same time widening their repertoire. Suggests that teachers should guide boys away from replicating restricted narrative modes. (TB)

Describes how one teacher/poet communicates to students the feeling of spontaneity and ease with language, a similar sense of poetry as activity, gesture, and flight, and the notion that both words and sounds carry poetic meaning while letting students know it is acceptable to explore on paper while creating poetry. (MG)

Suggests that teachers who draw on literature as they engage children in the writing process provide a rich and reliable source of knowledge. (DF)

Looks at the importance of valuing children's play for its contributions to writing skills. Shares the insights a teacher derives from observing children in situations where they seem to be "only playing." Reminds readers of the crucial connection between assessment and teaching that should be maintained. (MG)

Describes the evolution of the author's children's picture book, "An Amish Christmas." Notes how he refers to "Christmas in Noisy Village" (1964) by Astrid Lindgren, a praised children's Christmas book. Describes how he used Lindgren's economical use of words and book format as a guide. (SG)

Discusses the differences between inauthentic and authentic writing, arguing that most writing in school is inauthentic, because it is written for someone else's intentions. Examples are cited from a classroom with an essentially whole language orientation, but which occasionally reverts to inauthentic writing assignments. (HTH)

Notes that a premium has been placed on written composition in American schools. Discusses classroom research that demonstrates the power of oral composition. Suggests that to help all children become better composers, educators must involve them in authentic oral, as well as written, composition. (SR)

Reflects on four significant issues discussed in this issue devoted to teaching writers to spell: (1) how much time should be spent on spelling; (2) how kids can be helped to care more about spelling; (3) how stakeholders can be helped to understand the point of what educators are doing with spelling; and (4) where the national climate is heading…

Discusses writing as a social activity and how collaborative writing enables risk taking and promotes a change in writing attitudes. Provides examples of collaborative writing in the following areas of expository text structure: enumeration, sequence, comparison/contrast, and cause/effect. (MG)

Explains how to implement and use a peer editing program. (FL)

This list of year-by-year statements has been drawn together from England's National Literacy Strategy Framework for Teaching with a particular focus on writing. It sets out an illustrative set of targets for each year from Reception Year to Year 6 in different aspects of writing. The statements also take account of the stages set out in…