Analyzes teachers' conceptual maps of literacy teaching as the preliminary phase of a research program aimed at describing and enhancing pupils' functional use of literacy across the curriculum. Notes similarities and contrasts between the views of primary and secondary teachers. Finds that teachers have complex models of literacy and do not…

The views of the learners are arguably the most important consideration in planning for classroom literacy instruction, yet they are often ignored by policy-makers and by teachers. In order to match the literacy curriculum to the learners, it is essential for teachers to consider the programmes they offer from the learners' points of view. This…

In this article, the author shares the reflections of second graders at PS 11, an elementary school in the Chelsea section of Manhattan, on their identities as readers and writers through a photo essay. It is through these two mediums that they are coming to know themselves as learners and as human beings. One example of student comments is, Billy…

Maintains that the author's authentic voice as a writer is "constructed more than it is gushed." Describes how, when the author tinkers with words, when he shifts, cuts, changes, and arranges them to achieve certain effects, it isn't the writing only that he crafts: he is also crafting an identity. Notes how this applies to teaching…

Outlines the author's experience publishing a collection of short stories. Discusses the hopes and disappointments of the process. Notes that persistence and fortitude are required for publishing a book. (PM)

Offers 95 questions for writing teachers to ask themselves concerning their writing habits and the writing instruction they offer to their students. (MG)

Details a review of collaborative styles of professional writers. Notes that some Society of Technical Communication members reported an often hierarchical collaborative process, whereas respondents within the Modern Language Association seemed suspicious of collaboration. Reveals, however, that a dialogic collaborative mode subverting the status…

Suggests, in the context of the author's publishing failures and successes, ways to cope with the fact that judgment and rejection are part of academic publishing. (SR)

Reviews feminist critiques of philosophy and science, and suggests how they may relate to attitudes about the teaching of writing found among academics--humanists as well as scientists--and to the teaching of writing in colleges and universities. Suggests that taking notice of this material will help bring writing courses closer to what takes…

Relates how reading some bathroom graffiti became a literacy incident that sparked awareness of the risk of writing, the importance of purpose and audience, and meaningful engagement with writing. (SR)

Offers suggestions to promote becoming a lifetime writer: build a positive professional attitude toward writing in school; provide extended blocks of time for writing; guide learners in a variety of writing experiences; help writers to "go public"; hand students over to authors through a visiting authors program; and invite parents to be…

Explores the ways students experience contemporary writing pedagogy. Ranges from rhetoric's historical discussion of the pleasures of writing to composition's more recent interest in academic professionalism to Gilles Deleuze's theory of masochism to the problem of teaching and learning in a consumer culture. (SG)

Afterschool programs offer an important avenue for enhancing educational opportunities. Federal, state, and local educational authorities increasingly see them as environments to improve attitudes toward school, achievement, and academic performance (Fashola, 2002; Hollister, 2003) with higher levels of student participation and engagement in…

This study examined student perspectives about writing by interviewing both typically developing and struggling writers in Grades 2 through 8. The findings revealed a progressive developmental pattern of writing knowledge in which novice writers place more emphasis on the physical product and local meaning, while more experienced writers focus on…

To account for the fact that the average reading literacy in Newfoundland and Labrador (Canada) is lower than the national average, a study examined the value that individuals place on literacy. Subjects, 625 males and females, each of whom was a head or one of the heads of households between 21 and 65 years of age and had not participated in an…