PRussell

      Fletcher and Portalupi have attempted to walk a line between too prescriptive and not enough information on how to teach the craft of writing to students in grades K-8.  The main thrusts are integrating writing with literature and giving students many opportunities to write.  I love the literature aspect and realize the importance of providing time and guidance.  Having taught middle and high school language arts/English, I remember that the teaching of writing was the hardest part.  I did not do as well as I would like to have done in this area.  The assumption was that if you could speak standard English and could spell fairly well, you could not only write, but you could teach others.  I am looking forward to reading more to find out what I missed as an education student and as a practicing teacher.