This paper discusses the teaching approaches used in a basic composition course designed for educationally disadvantaged students. The course integrates three approaches: mastery teaching and learning; James Moffett's student-centered naturalistic curriculum; and Ken Macrorie's Third Way, which combines freedom and discipline in a writing workshop. These approaches use a variety of methods and materials especially helpful to educationally disadvantaged students. Two attached handouts provide an outline of the course and a sample hierarchy of learning skills and their attendant learning activities. (RL)