A testament to the belief that K-12 teachers should be writers, this book invites readers into the classrooms and minds of teachers who write. The fiction, poetry, personal essays, and two teacher interviews celebrate the power of writing and invite teachers to become more seriously involved in writing for themselves. The classrooms described in…

Argues that writing instruction should begin as early as kindergarten. Suggests that learning how to write occurs best not in traditional classrooms but when the classroom is turned into a workshop, where the process of planning, writing, and revising is honored. (KH)

Describes a learning environment that enhances student achievement in written communication as one that develops and maintains student interest; enables students to perceive a purpose for and attach meaning to their writing; and provides precise objectives for students to attain. (NH)

The four videotapes and a viewing guide cover all the practical components necessary for establishing and implementing a successful writing workshop, including the importance of choice, creating a risk-taking environment, the difference between skills and craft, the writer's notebook, the writing conference, revision, the role of literature, and…

Future directions in the teaching of writing must focus on the classroom and on ways of making the classroom situation more effective. There is a need to consolidate the new insights into writing and the writing process into effective classroom practice. (HOD)

Intended for writing instructors at all educational levels, the chapters in this collection discuss the philosophy and principles of the teaching of writing in an effort to capitalize on the current public interest in writing. Chapter topics are (1) the basics of teaching writing; (2) teaching the composing process; (3) writing assignments and…

Examines how different types of prewriting activities, teacher motivations, and classroom environments influence the student writing process. (MM)

Poetry is a powerful avenue through which students can learn to express their voices and to "write like people." In the special needs classroom, where students traditionally have had difficulty with narrative structure, and therefore have gone unheard, developing voice through poetry becomes especially crucial. Samples of students'…

Even for gifted students, the writing process resulting in an effective composition is a complex one, often overlooked in gifted education. The process begins with expressive writing, wherein the writer explores ideas and tries to find a focus. Subsets in the writing process include inventing, gathering outside materials, drafting, and revising…

States that, if writing teachers are to do a better job in teaching writing, they must create a writing community in their classrooms that motivates students instrumentally and integratively in the writing process. (MG)

Offering guidance on diagnostic and developmental techniques, this teacher's guide helps teachers to assess pupils' understanding and day-to-day progress in writing and to identify appropriate next steps to help pupils make progress. The teacher's guide examines the process of writing, offering guidance on classroom activities relating to…

This book is designed for teachers who are looking for approaches to make the teaching of writing fresh. The book offers suggestions for writing that are appropriate across the curriculum and for students in Grades K-12. It contains ideas for enlivening students' writing experiences, including an innovative use of the "helping circle." It advises…

Intended for teachers of all subjects, grades 3 through 12, this book explains how teachers can build a community of writers in which the students use portfolios to demonstrate progress and accomplishment across the curriculum. The book outlines practical strategies for ensuring that every student explores a variety of meaningful challenges. The…

A review of recent classroom research regarding writing processes reveals ways in which contextual factors affect student learning. Teachers should investigate the relationship between teaching and writing development in their own classrooms. (Author/CB)

Providing personal yet professional guidelines for introducing students to the life of a writer, this book provides a rationale, a set of principles, and some possible methods for using small groups in writing workshops. The book discusses how small groups can provide growing writers with the four essentials which all writers need: time for…