Susan Taber M.Ed and the team of researchers, clinicians and learning therapists at The Research Institute for Learning & Development have spent over a decade researching and field-testing mega-cognitive strategies that support effective essay writing. Once again, the research group teamed with FableVision to scale those strategies in the ESSAY EXPRESS software application. The new program is based on the original award-winning BrainCogs software, which provides general meta-cognition strategies to support successful learning, studying and mostly non-essay test-taking.

"Getting kids excited about essay writing is not easy, but once again we used FableVision's broadcast sensibilities, completely original rock music, quirky humor and interactive activities in ESSAY EXPRESS to make them tune in, stay tuned in - and keep coming back for more,” said Paul Reynolds.

"I write for a living and love it," adds FableVision ceo Peter H. Reynolds, an award-winning author of children's books, "but teaching the skill of being able to articulate one's thinking, support and defend one's own views seems to be one of the toughest challenges — the 'holy grail' of education — but ESSAY EXPRESS is packed with strategies that will last a life- time, and change lives in the process."

Developed with funding from the U.S. Department of Education, the ESSAY EXPRESS software provides about four to six hours of self-paced learning and practice. The software also spotlights the on-going saga of The Rotten Green Peppers, a dysfunctional rock band who are hired to write rock videos that teach kids about essay writing strategies. With step- by-step, narrated introductions to nine cognitive strategies that support the essay writing process, ESSAY EXPRESS also offers an interactive notebook, student performance tracking system and option for completely customizable teacher essay questions. Additional features include many lesson plan extension activities, reproducibles and additional bonus multimedia materials that provide even more learner support for both short and longer essay writing. For more information on ESSAY EXPRESS, call (888) 240-3437 or explore www.fablevision.com/essayexpress.

Founded in 1996 by Peter and Paul Reynolds, FableVision is dedicated to serving children by creating "stories that matter, stories that move" for educators, families, museums, publishers and broadcasters. The FableVision team includes a diverse group of educators, writers, animators, instructional designers, research partners, programmers, interactive media specialists and university professors. Additional information can be found at www.fablevision.com.

ResearchILD is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating pathways to success for all learners by leveraging research and technology to develop and disseminate research-based multi-media educational materials. The organization's goal is to help children, adolescents and adults with learning and attention differences to develop persistence and resilience and to attain success in school and in life. To achieve these goals, the Research ILD team focuses on changing the culture of classrooms for all learners and training teachers and parents to teach effective learning strategies and to foster resilience, positive self-concept and strong effort in all students. The Institute develops, evaluates and promotes strategies for successful learning and effective teaching through research, program development, dissemination of instructional materials, teacher training, professional development and scholarship support for educational services. For more information, visit researchild.org/.