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.