25 Ways To Get Kids Writing

From mad libs to story maps, this piece in the back-to-school issue of Scholastic's INSTRUCTOR magazine offers (just about) everything you need to make writing fun

Want to learn how to write? There's an app for that

More schools are using technology to modernize traditional handwriting lessons, which researchers say are still essential in a digital world. Teachers are using applications for the iPhone, iPad and other hand-held devices that focus on handwriting instruction through educational games. A recent Indiana University study found that handwriting may help students improve their learning, memory and basic skills.

Grammar Writing Site Recommendation

At this content-rich site the main page's links break further down to sentence level, paragraph level, and essay level. The site also contains samples of business writing and research papers, PowerPoint presentations, interactive quizzes, Q&A service, book resource list, on-line resource list, quotes from famous people on writing, and "grammar goofs" gleaned from college and high school writing. The "goofs" page does contain some innuendos. Besides a well-linked index, the site offers its own search engine. (Source: TechLearning.com)

On digital publishing

Over the past few years, learners have been granted new opportunities to tell and share their own stories. Students who write and publish, hone their communication skills and contribute their emerging creative voices to our world. We can nurture young writers by providing them the tools they need to create and share.

Teens will use formal writing skills as needed

Young people communicate in instant-message conversations much as they do when speaking to each other, says Sali Tagliamonte, a professor of linguistics at the University of Toronto, adding they seamlessly blend slang and short forms -- just as adults do -- with the more conservative, formal language one might expect from their parents or grandparents. Read more here.

Technology a key tool in writing instruction

While there are still many obstacles facing teachers in implementing technology, teachers play a critical role in driving the use of technology to teach writing, says “Writing, Learning, and Leading in the Digital Age,” a recent report by the National Writing Project (NWP) and the College Board.

Second annual National Day on Writing

The second annual National Day on Writing, sponsored by the National Council of Teachers of English, will be celebrated October 20, 2010. In preparation, NCTE is collecting a vast sample of writing from across America at the companion National Gallery of Writing -- a virtual space "where people who perhaps have never thought of themselves as writers -- mothers, bus drivers, fathers, veterans, nurses, firefighters, sanitation workers, stockbrokers -- select and post writing that is important to them." The Gallery welcomes submissions of all types in many formats and includes a Local Partner Gallery with works from writers in classroom and schools, clubs, workplaces, cities, etc.

21st Century Writing Experiences

This blogger, at Tech Learning, advises teachers: "We shouldn't ignore, nor belittle this new kind of writing, but simply acknowledge that writing has changed over the last years."

New Report Finds Writing Can Be Powerful Driver for Improving Reading Skills

Writing To Read: Evidence for How Writing Can Improve Reading, a report from the Carnegie Corporation, notes that writing supports reading and reading development. Read more in this press release from Vanderbilt University.

21st-Century Skills: Evidence, Relevance, and Effectiveness

This essay in T.H.E. Journal does a great job of explaining "21st century skills." I particularly like the "digital storytelling" example explored as part of project-based learning.

Tools for Better Writing

Learning to write is relatively easy; learning to write well is a considerably more formidable task. It’s widely documented that technology can improve students’ writing skills, and applications for the classroom are constantly evolving. Here are two free and simple tools that have the potential to strengthen your students’ ability to write effectively.

Using Social Networks to Teach Literature

Megan Palevich of Middle School 101 has a must-see project for teachers who want to tap into students’ use of social networking to bring literary or historical people to life.

Streaming, Writing and Arithmetic

The writer, from Australia, argues for inclusion of digital media tools (the ones kids are already using) as a way to teach standards.

How Writers Can Learn From Documented Cases of Revision

This post originates from Poynter.org, a website for journalists. The writer references the revision processes of famous authors, and songwriters. Excerpt: "I know that it is possible to track changes in a story, but my general feeling is that the disappearance of hand-written revisions has been a loss to the writing and learning culture."

Does Digital Media Make Us Bad Writers?

An English professor and a linguist examine how digital media are transforming students’ writing and how writing itself is changing.

Picture This! Building Photo-Based Writing Skills

This is from the New York Times newspaper's learning network. In this lesson, students use photographs to practice writing, vocabulary and skimming skills to develop literacy and/or prepare for standardized tests. Details here.

Writing and Technology: Dealing With Ideas

The great thing about technology as far as writing is concerned is that we need never forget a brilliant idea.

Creative Writing Lessons Can Be Boosted by Multimedia Technology

From Edutopia: Teachers can inspire students' creativity and improve their writing by incorporating multimedia and technology into writing lessons, writes a fifth-grade teacher. Show students vivid photos and video clips and play instrumental music that relates to the scenery to spur student writing. Dave Somoza recommends teachers inspire students with digital tools such as TrekEarth, Microsoft Photo Story 3 or Soundslides.