Based on knowledge gleaned from eight years of research on children's writing development, this book focuses on the teaching of writing to children in the elementary school. The first section of the book deals with the essentials in teaching writing, and the establishment of a classroom that nurtures and supports growth in writing. The second section examines how children change as writers, ranging from early forays into writing in kindergarten and first grade, to the problems and successes of writing in adolescence. The third section focuses on writing conferences, including those that examine content, balance content with form, and ask process and evaluation questions. The fourth section examines the input of the teacher in developing lessons and improving the quality of student writing, while the fifth section discusses reading-writing connections. The sixth and final section discusses the use of learning logs in content area writing, and the writing of research papers, poetry, and fiction. Lists of works cited and recommended readings are included. (HOD)