This topical bibliography and commentary discusses several classroom techniques designed to encourage beginning writers to grow beyond uninspired composition. The strategies employed in the classroom are of equal value for both expository and creative writing. The various classroom techniques discussed share an emphasis on student-centered…

Each teacher has a style of teaching that provides the most effective way to help students grasp the desired learning concepts. One point teachers agree on is that teaching vocabulary to children needs to be an active process that engages students in entertaining activities and helps them build a bridge between already known vocabulary and the new…

When children are taught to read, the sources used are usually fictional narratives; writing follows in the same genre with children learning how to write personal narrative. Narrative has been such a part of the tradition in primary grades that even the information books that are available for the young are often written in a narrative structure.…

Because oral language is so basic, it is the first step to verbal thinking, communicating socially, and understanding literature. It is through speech that children learn how to organize their thinking and focus their ideas. Nurturing children's language is fundamental to molding them into natural and competent readers and writers. This topical…

Typically, elementary school children read more narrative texts, such as short stories, poems, and fiction books. Some educators have raised concerns over whether elementary school children are developing the skills needed to study the structure and function of expository texts. This topical bibliography and commentary provides examples that show…

This Topical Bibliography and Commentary reviews the recent research literature which focuses on writing--specifically, word choice in writing. The bibliography/commentary first lays a foundation that chronicles the importance of writing instruction in school. It then summarizes the importance of choosing quality words when writing, gives examples…

Extensive research in the area of vocabulary development revealed a very limited amount of information on elaboration for writing. Only one article was found that substantiated the need to connect vocabulary with elaborative writing. This topical bibliography and commentary summarizes the findings in that article. The bibliography/ commentary…

Grammar study needs to be functional. Learners need to have a sense of how knowledge of grammar can help them communicate more effectively, both orally and in writing. The focus of grammar instruction is shifting from repetition and rote drills, memorizing parts of speech, and diagramming to develop an awareness of language in general and how it…

In the methodology called "literature-driven integrated language arts," the words "literature-driven" describe an instructional approach that uses entire pieces of literature (short stories, novels, poems, etc.) as the stimuli for a language arts program. The aim of literature-driven instruction is to engage the affective character of the text, as…