This study, which was primarily experimental in nature, sought to determine whether cooperative argumentative writing, in contrast to competitive individual writing, has positive effects on student performance and attitudes. A brief qualitative analysis using student questionnaires, journals, and interviews (n=73) was conducted to assess students'…

Many colleges and universities are revamping their freshman writing courses in response to increasing numbers of complaints from professors who see students who cannot write and from students bored or frustrated in writing courses. (SLD)

The full-school-year immersion of six deaf kindergarten students in literacy-rich activities focusing on daily reading and writing in authentic communication tasks resulted in increased levels of written language production. (12 references) (Author/CB)

Suggests that the implications of the conclusions of another article in this issue are critical to writing instruction, in that they relate to the nature of craft in writing and its relationship to current views of language development and learning. Offers specific instructional processes to address students' differing capabilities in processing…

Two major obstacles to using problem-based learning methods with writing in elementary school classrooms are the time it takes to design the learning environment and the time required for students to interact at their own pace with ill-structured problems used to spur student writing. This study examined whether game elements could be used along…

In this book, author Peggy Campbell-Rush shares the strategies she relies on to teach young students not only how to read and write, but also to love to read and write. Teachers will find close to 100 tips, ideas, and activities that they can implement immediately, including: the dos and don'ts for reading aloud; putting new twists on tedious…

This article illustrates the importance of classroom discourse and its effect on the writing of students with dyslexia; specifically, this article examines the nature of discourse that took place within the context of two writing classrooms at The Garden School (pseudonym). When teaching students with dyslexia, the teachers in this study followed…

This paper is intended to contribute to the debate about how to raise standards of literacy. It summarizes early evidence from HMI (Her Majesty's Inspectors) about the teaching of writing within the National Literacy Strategy and exemplifies good practice in the schools inspected by HMI. In some respects it breaks with tradition in quoting…

The intent of the Washington State Writing Framework is to provide support for the development of writing benchmarks and instructional guidelines for individual school districts. The purpose of the writing framework is: to provide grade by grade overview of the Essential Academic Learning Requirements in writing; to complement the frameworks for…

Examines intermediate grade students' intraindividual differences across different levels or units of written language in sequencing the elements of written language. Finds that performance at the word level does not predict performance at the sentence or paragraph levels and that performance at the sentence level does not predict performance at…

A study determined the effectiveness of two computer-assisted programs for writing/language instruction. Three first-grade classes and three second-grade classes at each of five Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools (CMS) were selected for the study. Two schools were using Write to Read for the first time, two schools were using Acceleration Station 2000…

Describes the process approach to teaching writing and offers tips to teachers for increasing students' knowledge and understanding. (seven references) (LMI)

Argues that recent teaching strategies geared toward improving student writing through positive reinforcement have resulted in mediocre writing products. Suggests that mechanics be given the same value as content in the evaluation process. (KEH)

Presents an annotated bibliography of 12 research articles, all related to literacy assessment. Contains essays dealing with writing models, portfolios, and student performance in writing classes. (HB)

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)