Presents study results on text revision strategies using a simplified word processor that records movements of linguistic units. Reports that adult subjects used the simultaneous strategy for correcting narrative and local-then-global strategy for correcting description whereas children used the local-then-global strategy for the narrative, but no…

Describes a Canadian study attempting to relate the motivating power of interest to children's writing performance by supplementing background knowledge with topic relevant information. Reports that children with tutorial support on high interest subjects performed no better than others. Concludes that the motivational power of interesting topics…

Presents a critical overview of trends in research on writing skills. Defines criteria for the studies based on current cognitive writing models. Includes treatments designed to change writer activity by influencing knowledge and cognitive functions. Discusses acquisition of knowledge or expert skills, interaction with other writers, and computer…

Presents results of a German study distinguishing between effects of knowledge on writing and re-effects of writing on knowledge. Reports that knowledge primarily affects the content domain of text, especially topic relatedness and logical structure of text, but not the linguistic domain. Concludes that both oral and written verbalization enables…

Presents a French study of the impact of providing knowledge about text superstructure on children's ability to improve text through predefined revising strategies. Reports that children exposed to a similar reading task before revising tended to improve text correctly and use the most efficient strategy. (DK)

Presents an Italian study of children assigned to write two persuasive appeals for funds. Reports that improvement on the second request was related to request features demonstrated between the two assignments. Concludes that training did have some effect, but both control and experimental groups improved in their second performances. (DK)

Presents a study in which children considered alternative continuations of a text through a computer program. Reports that subjects were to monitor text production and correct coherence problems. Discusses reason levels: (1) implicit, local reasoning; (2) attention to global text characteristics; and (3) considerations on the function of…

Reviews theory and research on the relationship between classroom climate and citizenship outcomes in elementary settings. Compares democratic learning environments described by three studies. Suggests that free expression, peer interaction in cooperative activities, respect for diverse viewpoints, and student participation in decision making…

Presents results of a study of school administrators to determine support for the responsibility of social studies teachers to deal with controversial issues. Examines the influence of administrators on teacher decisions. Concludes that expressed support for dealing with controversial issues and critical thinking may appear more substantive than…

Argues for a conversational community within the social studies profession. Explores relevant attributes of such a community. Suggests that researchers ask (1) who speaks, (2) the topics of discourse, and (3) how language is used. Concludes that a conversational community does exist but is kept from its full potential by distrust between teachers…

Competitive activities have always existed in physical education. However, according to this literature review, their value is not confirmed. When student learning is the goal, relying on competitively structured activities is contradictory and harmful. More important is the effective teaching of motor skills. (SM)

In 1966, Muska Mosston introduced the Spectrum of Teaching Styles. Now, the expanded spectrum has been widely adopted nationally and internationally. A series of eight articles examines various uses of the Spectrum of Teaching Styles by teachers and teacher educators. (SM)

To help develop collegiate coaching curricula, researchers surveyed athletic administrators of women's programs to determine academic background and hands-on experience expected of entry level coaches. Subjects agreed candidates needed specific courses and experiences prior to becoming head coaches. No clear correspondence showed between degree…

Physical education teachers must include verbal prompts in their verbal feedback. The article distinguishes between prompts and feedback, making a linkage between them. It outlines a prompt/feedback package, identifies a rationale for its use in physical education, and presents components of a fifth grade basketball lesson with prompts and…

To analyze data and predict trends among physical education doctorates, researchers obtained 1983-89 data from the National Research Council which releases annual reports of earned doctorates granted by U.S. institutions. The article examines institutions, graduation rate, employment, postdoctoral degrees, race/ethnicity, and age, marital, and…