Writing Essentials : Raising Expectations and Results While Simplifying Teaching

by Routman, Regie

• ISBN13: 9780325006017
• ISBN10: 0325006016
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-10-26
• Publisher: HEINEMANN

Summary

Regie Routman demystifies the process of teaching writing well and gives you the knowledge, research, precise instructional language, and confidence you need to succeed.

Table of Contents

A Note About Notes and Other Resources	xvii
Acknowledgments	xix
0ne The Essential Writing Life
1 Simplify the Teaching of Writing	3	(14)
Why Writing Essentials?	4	(8)
Simplify Teaching and Increase Results and Enjoyment	5	(2)
Become More Knowledgeable About How to Teach Writing	7	(1)
Examine Your Beliefs	8	(4)
Teach What's Essential	12	(71)
12 Writing Essentials for All Grades	13	(6)
Teach Writing the Way Real Writers Work	14	(1)
Be Explicit-Show Students How	15	(1)
Simplify	16	(1)
2 Start with Celebration	17	(18)
Change the Status of Kids in the Classroom	19	(4)
Turn Kids into Writers	19	(2)
Make Sure Writing Is Meaningful, Not Just Correct	21	(1)
Meet a Writer	22	(1)
Start with a Story	23	(6)
Use Stories as a Springboard for Teaching and Learning	23	(1)
Ensure That All Your Students Hear Stories	24	(1)
Choose Your Topics Carefully	25	(1)
Keep Your Students' Attention	25	(1)
Write in Front of Your Students	26	(1)
Expand Personal Writing	27	(1)
Connect Home and School Writing	27	(2)
See What Writers Do Well	29	(2)
See Their Brilliance	29	(1)
Take a Leap of Faith	30	(1)
See the Light-Write Poetry	30	(1)
Make Enjoyment Central to Teaching Writing-Let the Fun Begin	31	(4)
3 Share Your Writing Life	35	(18)
Bond as a Staff by Writing Together	36	(4)
Observe What You Do and Note the Teaching Implications	37	(1)
Make Time for Your Staff to Write Together	38	(2)
Examine Your Life as a Writer	40	(4)
Look at Your Writing Practices	41	(1)
Tell Students Why You Write	42	(1)
Connect Your Reading Life with Writing	43	(1)
Find Your Own Voice	44	(10)
Use Writing to Bond with Your Students	44	(3)
Be Realistic About Planning Before Writing	47	(1)
Observe Your Composing Process	48	(1)
Increase Your Writing Enjoyment	49	(4)
Two Teaching Essentials
4 Raise Your Expectations	53	(30)
Change the School Culture of Low Expectations	54	(3)
Take Action to Raise Writing Expectations	55	(1)
Expect Excellence	56	(1)
Nurture and Nudge	57	(13)
Establish Schoolwide Expectations for Quality	59	(6)
Remember That Quantity Matters	65	(1)
Raise Your Expectations for Conventions	66	(1)
Raise Your Expectations for Handwriting	66	(3)
Raise Your Expectations for Editing	69	(1)
Rely on an Optimal Learning Model	70	(8)
Decide What Support Learners Need	73	(2)
Include More Shared Experiences	75	(2)
Rely on Scaffolded Conversations	77	(1)
Focus on the Writer First	78	(6)
Build Early Success for All Students, Including Writers Who Struggle	78	(4)
Do Not Accept Failure As an Option	82	(1)
5 Do More Shared Writing	83	(36)
Apply Principles of Instruction and Learning	84	(4)
Shared Writing Is Ideal for All Learners	85	(1)
Understand the Research That Supports Shared Writing	85	(1)
Link Shared Writing to Reading	86	(1)
Use Interactive Writing Wisely	87	(1)
Implement Shared Writing	88	(1)
A Framework for a Shared Writing Lesson	88	(1)
Teaching Tips to Go Along with Shared Writing	89	(10)
Use Shared Writing to Teach Writing Strategies	90	(1)
Keep the Major Focus on Content	91	(1)
Watch Your Language	91	(2)
Use Shared Writing to Do Important Word Work	93	(12)
Cut Up and Reassemble Sentences	93	(4)
Make Words with Tiles	97	(1)
Write a "Mystery Message"	98	(1)
Observe Shared Writing in Action	99	(1)
Create a Fiction Story Through Shared Writing	99	(1)
Teach Informational Writing Through Shared Writing	105	(7)
Tried and True Ideas for Shared Writing	112	(7)
6 Capitalize on the Reading-Writing Connection	119	(22)
Link Writing with Reading	120	(3)
Integrate Reading and Writing in Teaching	120	(1)
Begin in Kindergarten	121	(2)
Ensure Students Read Quality Materials	123	(2)
Spend More Time Reading	123	(1)
Teach Students How to Reread Their Writing	124	(1)
Examine Written Responses to Reading	125	(1)
Be Sensible About Reading-Response Journals	125	(1)
Use Writing to Improve Comprehension	126	(4)
Do More Informational Writing	126	(1)
Teach Summary Writing	127	(1)
Lesson Snapshot: Summary Writing	128	(1)
Procedures in Brief for Teaching Summarizing in Shared Read-Alouds	130	(11)
Write More Book Reviews	132	(1)
Teach and Encourage Note-Taking	133	(1)
Use Writing in Guided Reading Groups	134	(2)
Ask Worthwhile Questions	136	(1)
Integrate Nonfiction Writing into All Writing	137	(1)
Prepare Students for Tests Requiring Brief Written Responses	137	(1)
Accelerate Literacy	138	(3)
Three The Essential Writing Day
7 Be Efficient and Integrate Basic Skills	141	(32)
Start with Meaning and Keep It Whole	142	(3)
Reduce Isolated Skills Work	142	(1)
Focus on Quality First	143	(2)
Include Audience in All Writing	145	(2)
Focus on Voice Through Meaningful Writing	146	(1)
Contrived Writing Stifles Voice	146	(1)
Teach Explicitly and Tell Students Why	147	(2)
Make Sure Your Demonstrations Include Why	148	(1)
Don't Assume Transfer Is Automatic-It's Not	148	(1)
Take Advantage of the "Efficiency of Context"	149	(1)
Shift the Focus in Teaching Writing	149	(1)
TEACHING BEYOND THE STANDARDS	150	(5)
Keep Standards in Perspective	153	(1)
Teach Useful Minilessons	154	(1)
A Sampling of Common Minilessons	155	(14)
Teach Students to Care About Revision	156	(4)
Help Students Develop a Revision Consciousness	156	(1)
Revise Your Writing in Front of Students	156	(4)
Focus on Editing After Students Can Produce Quality Writing	160	(1)
Make Sure Students Know Why Conventions Matter	161	(1)
Teach Spelling Well	161	(4)
Set Up the Environment for Teaching Spelling	162	(1)
Value Spelling Approximations	162	(1)
Raise Your Expectations for Spelling	163	(1)
Develop a Strong Spelling Consciousness	164	(1)
Use Word Walls and Other Resources Effectively	165	(3)
Construct Word Walls with Students	165	(1)
Highlight Words and Features of Words	166	(1)
Make Your Word Wall Flexible	167	(1)
Limit Dictionary and Thesaurus Use	168	(1)
Provide High-Quality Instruction to Writers Who Struggle	168	(1)
Proven Strategies for Writers Who Struggle-and All Writers	169	(4)
8 Organize for Daily Writing	173	(32)
Broaden Your Definition of Writing Workshop	174	(1)
Find Time for Daily Writing	175	(1)
Value Writing and You Will Make Time for It	176	(1)
Set Up the Environment for Success	176	(20)
Provide More Choice Within Meaningful Structure	177	(2)
Tap the Potential of Choice Within Structure	177	(1)
Teach Students How to Choose Worthwhile Topics	178	(1)
Teach Sensible Planning Strategies	179	(5)
Expand Your Definition of Prewriting	179	(1)
Do More Freewrites	179	(1)
Limit the Use of Graphic Organizers	180	(1)
Do More Demonstration Writing	180	(1)
Have More Conversations About Writing	181	(3)
Establish Criteria for Writing	184	(1)
Make Excellent Management a Priority	184	(6)
Maintain a Predictable Structure	184	(3)
Build a Climate of Trust	187	(1)
Employ a Flexible Framework	187	(1)
Establish Daily Routines and Model Expected Behavior	188	(1)
Keep Records	189	(1)
Organize Student Writing	190	(1)
Put Genre Study in Perspective	190	(6)
Simplify Genre Teaching	192	(1)
Make Schoolwide Decisions About Genre Study	192	(1)
Focus First on Purposes of Writing	193	(1)
Start by Engaging Students	194	(2)
Teach Nonfiction Writing	196	(1)
A Framework for Teaching Writing Genres	196	(9)
Write and Publish More Short Pieces	197	(7)
Write Snapshots for Real Reasons	199	(1)
Write Lots of Letters	200	(2)
Use Writing to Perform Acts of Kindness	202	(2)
Do More Publishing	204	(1)
9 Conference with Students	205	(33)
Know What a Writing Conference Is	206	(1)
Depend on Whole-Class Share	207	(8)
Use Whole-Class Share as a Venue in Which to Teach	211	(1)
Teach Students How to Listen	212	(1)
Manage Whole-Class Share Effectively	213	(2)
Tips for Successful Whole-Class Shares and Conferences	215	(13)
Use a Variety of Other Conferences	216	(4)
Try a Quickshare	216	(1)
Conduct Roving Conferences	217	(1)
Schedule One-on-One Conferences	218	(1)
Teach Peer Conferencing	219	(1)
Simplify Writing Conferences	220	(3)
Spend Time Frontloading	220	(1)
Rely on the Optimal Learning Model	221	(1)
Establish Routines and Procedures	222	(1)
What Makes a Productive Conference?	223	(1)
Put the Writer First	223	(3)
Assume the Child Is Making Sense	224	(1)
Give an Overall Response First	225	(1)
Be Generous with Your Praise	225	(1)
Make Important Teaching Points	226	(1)
Begin with Content Conferences	226	(2)
Use the Language of Helpful Response	227	(1)
What to Focus on in a Content Conference	228	(6)
Depend on Minilessons	229	(1)
End with Editing Conferences	230	(4)
Practice the Language of Helpful Response	230	(3)
Teach Students to Do More Editing	233	(1)
What to Focus on in an Editing Conference	234	(29)
Hand Over More Responsibility to Students	235	(1)
Use Language that Signals Students to Take More Responsibility	235	(4)
Aim for Student Independence	236	(2)
10 Make Assessment Count	238	(2)
Become More Knowledgeable About Assessment	239	(1)
Put Rubrics in Perspective	240	(4)
Understand How Rubrics Work	240	(2)
Keep Your Focus on Effective Writing	242	(1)
Use Rubrics Judiciously	243	(1)
Put High-Stakes Testing in Perspective	244	(5)
The Best Test Preparation Is Excellent Teaching	244	(1)
Overpreparation Is Often Detrimental	245	(1)
Have Your Students Do a Lot of Writing	245	(1)
Encourage Students to Do Their Best	246	(1)
Help Your Students Visualize the Reader/Scorer	247	(1)
Prepare Students for On-Demand Writing	248	(1)
Reduce Test Anxiety	248	(1)
Put a Schoolwide Assessment Policy into Practice	249	(4)
Collect Useful Data to Improve the Teaching of Writing	250	(1)
Rely More on Classroom-Based Assessments	251	(1)
Assess Students' Writing Every Day	251	(1)
Be Realistic and Humane About Grading	252	(1)
Work Toward Student Self-Assessment	253	(6)
Aim High	255	(4)
Four Advocacy Is Also Essential
11 Build on Best Practice and Research	259	(33)
Advocate for Excellence	259	(3)
Take the Lead	260	(1)
Advocate for Saner Teaching and Assessment Practices	261	(1)
Be Knowledgeable About Relevant Research	262	(1)
Some Key Research Findings	263	(5)
Revisit Recent Research on Phonics	267	(1)
Build on Best Practices in Teaching Writing	267	(1)
Take Responsibility for Becoming an Effective Writing Teacher	267	(1)
Adopt Practices of Highly Effective Teachers	268	(14)
Make Ongoing Professional Conversations a Priority	269	(1)
You Achieve What You Believe	270	(4)
Develop a Schoolwide Vision	274	(4)
Be Cautious About Programs	274	(2)
Expect More from Your English Language Learners	276	(1)
Keep Struggling Learners in Your Classroom for Language Activities	277	(1)
Make Decisions About Homework	278	(1)
Teach Kids to Be Courageous as Writers	278	(2)
Teach Persuasive Writing	278	(2)
Include Parents as Partners	280	(1)
Use High Achievement to Promote Best Practice Teaching	280	(1)
12 Make Every Minute Count	281	(1)
Connect Your Home and School Lives	282	(1)
Secrets of Good Writers	282	(4)
Look into Their Eyes	283	(1)
Conserve Your Energy	284	(3)
Reduce the Paper Load	284	(1)
Be Choosy About What You Read	285	(1)
Ask So What?	286	(1)
Important Timesavers	286	(1)
My Best Advice	287	(1)
Live Your Life	287	(1)
Conclusion: Write Your Own Ending	288	(4)
Five Teaching in Action: Lesson Essentials
Five-Day Lesson Plans
Secrets of Second Graders-Narrative Writing Lesson	292	(13)
Heart Poems-Poetry Writing Lesson	305	(11)
Procedural Writing-Informational Writing Lesson	316	(7)
Hero Writing-Lesson	323	(7)
Persuasive Writing-Lesson	330	(6)
Teaching Points: Conference Video Clips	336
Appendices
A. Examining Beliefs About Writing	A-2
Communications to Parents
B. Letter to Parents About Raising Expectations (Grade 1)	A-3
C. Suggestions for Parents	A-4
Writing Forms
D. Understanding Nonfiction	A-5
E. Writing History	A-6
F. Poetry Writing Rubric	A-7
G. Word Work Sentence Worksheet	A-8
H. Writing Strengths/Next Steps	A-9
I. Writing Rubric	A-10
Editing Expectations
J. Grade 2, Editing Expectations	A-11
K. Grade 4, Editing Expectations	A-12
L. Genre Characteristics	A-13
M. Favorite Poetry Books	A-14
N. Weekly Professional Conversation Guidelines	A-15
Brief Definitions of Terms	A-16
Notes	A-22
References	A-46
Index	I-1