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Martha, what a disturbing but necessary discussion you've started! I heartily agree with you and Dave Caverly that workbooks and workbook-type exercises are NOT going to help developmental students learn. Knowing as we do, that these students don't feel great about having to take a developmental course (some are humiliated, some don't even tell their friends they're taking the course), we need to "upgrade" the course by conducting challenging, meaningful activities and by assigning challenging, meaningful work. When they feel they are really using their brains, they will begin to feel better about themselves... a prerequisite to learning. Also, to be a Reader or a Writer (notice the capital letters), we must be members of what Frank Smith calls the Literacy Club. As teachers, we need to entice our students to want to be members of the Club by giving them a variety of reading (or writing) assignments that will be interesting to them. Personally, I am committed to giving my students a variety of genres to read, not only expository text. It's wonderful to see them get excited about what they are reading. Finally, in order to learn, they must be engaged in the task. Cooperative learning, discussion groups, student centered activities all engage the mind, empower students and facilitate learning. And that's my two cents worth! Lonna Smith [log in to unmask]