LHightower

I read pages 1-13 of the book.  It addresses several issues teachers need to be aware of when teaching writing.  One is time.  Students need to be writing on a daily basis, and they need to get some kind of feedback on their writing.  The book explained some tips on how to establish effective writers' conferences with your students. Another issue was writer's responsibility.  We as teachers have a tendency to give students too many guidelines in their writing.  We need to give students more freedom and choice in their writing assignments.  The use of literature is very important in the teaching of writing.  In the upper grades we tend to downplay the use of picture books, but this book said picture books can be a very valuable tool.  When students hear books read repeatedly, they tend to notice author's techniques more.  Then hopefully students will transfer some of these techniques to their own writing. I hope to use several of these recommendations in my classroom. I want to utilize picture books more, in addition to the novels we already use.  In responding to students' writing, I will try to focus on one or two areas that need improving.  I have a tendency to try to correct too much, which is frustrating for both the student and me.