The No-Nonsense Guide to Teaching Writing: Strategies, Structures, and Solutions

by Judy Davis, Sharon Hill

Overview

Filling their book with specific how-to details, Judy Davis and Sharon Hill describe the organization of a successful yearlong writing workshop, centered on writing cycles and the writing notebook. They help teachers prepare tools, address management issues, get the work started, and build momentum as students increase their understanding of good writing practice. Their companion website, http://www.heinemann.com/davis-hill, offers forms, reproducibles, and additional student samples.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780325005218
Publisher:	Heinemann
Publication date:	08/22/2003
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.57(d)
Age Range:	8 - 13 Years

About the Author

Shelley Harwayne was affiliated with the New York City public schools for more than thirty years as a teacher, staff developer, codirector of the Teachers College Writing Project, founding principal of the Manhattan New School, and superintendent of District #2 in New York City. She has worked as a consultant and keynote speaker throughout the world and has published numerous books and videos with Heinemann including Learning to Confer (2004), Writing Through Childhood (2001), Lifetime Guarantees (2000), Going Public (1999), Lasting Impressions (1992), Living Between the Lines (1990), and The Writing Workshop: a World of Difference (1987). In addition, Shelley has published two children's books: Jewels and What's Cooking?.

A 30-year teaching veteran, Judy Davis has spent the past ten years teaching fifth and sixth grade at The Manhattan New School. She conducts workshops and summer institutes throughout the United States and Canada for elementary and middle school teachers on all aspects of literacy instruction. Her classroom is a model site for staff development for teachers in New York City’s School District #2 and other areas.

Sharon Hill has been an educator for many years. For the past four, she has served as a teacher, literacy staff developer, and administrator at The Manhattan New School. She has been a presenter at workshops, summer institutes, and conferences across the United States and Sweden for teachers K-8. Sharon is now taking requests for summer 2006.

Table of Contents

I. Getting a Handle on the Essentials: Goals, Tools, and Management

1. Setting Achievable Goals
2. Using the Right Tools
3. Providing Structure and Organization
4. Setting Up the Writing Workshop

II. Helping Your Students Become Writers

1. First Cycle: From Writing Idea to Notebook Entry
2. Teaching What Your Students Need
3. Moving from Notebook Entry to Finished Piece
4. Future Cycles: Lifting the Quality of the Writing Notebook
5. Mastering the Magic of Revision

III. Extending Writing Possibilities

1. Poetry Study
2. Feature Article Study
3. Picture Book Study
4. Open-Choice Investigations

Conclusion: When Writing Spills Out of the Writing Workshop

1. Editing Checklist
2. Student Weekend Writing Assessment
3. Writer's Reflection
4. Conference Record-keeping Sheet
5. Notebook Checklist
6. Minilesson Planning Sheet
7. Day-to-Day Minilesson Planning Sheet
8. Flowchart: What I'm Trying to Say
9. Craft Study
10. Structure Templates
11. Responding to Poetry
12. Poetry Study Chart
13. Knowing My Taste in Poetry
14. Poetry Reflection
15. Feature Article Study Chart
16. From Notebook Entry to Feature Article
17. Feature Article Assessment
18. Getting Inspired by a Good Picture Book
19. Picture Book Study Chart
20. Picture Book Assessment
21. Open-Choice Investigation Topic Chart

Bibliography

1. Professional Books
2. Poetry Anthologies
3. Picture Books
4. Books Containing Short Texts

Editorial Reviews

Judy Davis and Sharon Hill have distilled several decades worth of teaching experience into this invaluable road map to creating a writing workshop in which students grow and grow and grow as writers.”–Carl Anderson

“Here is a book written by expert teachers who have lived the teaching of writing from inside the classroom. This is a book that wisely connects writing with reading, life, parents, the school, and community. Judy Davis and Sharon Hill show us the practicalities of helping children become lifetime writers today.”–Donald Graves

“This excellent book is as brilliant as it is pragmatic. Every teacher will want to dog-ear and highlight the myriad of tips and strategies that fill every page.”–Georgia Heard

“In the hurry of teaching, how reassuring to be able to reach out for indispensable, ready-to-go aid and comfort. This book is filled with concrete answers to the questions, "What do I teach and how should I teach it?"”–Lucy Calkins

“What a treat - everything we always wanted to know about teaching writing packed into this extraordinary book. So chock full of thoughtful strategies and practical ideas that my pencil jumped into overdrive marking spots I will return to again and again. This book is destined to become a familiar friend to us all.”–Stephanie Harvey

From the Publisher