Launching Writers' Workshop with GROWING FIFTH GRADE WRITERS

Launching Our Fifth Grade Writers’ Workshop

We write to discover what we think.                                                                                                                                                      Joan Didion

Writing is the only way I have to explain my own life to myself.                                                                                                          Patrick Conroy, My Reading Life

 
As the last year of elementary school, fifth grade is full of rites of passage.  From the unique field trips and projects of fifth grade to the alluring and “much more grown up” content area inquiry units to continuation/graduation ceremonies, fifth graders experience so many exciting “firsts.”  Writers’ Workshop, too, engages our tallest elementary students in new journeys as they learn to write memoir pieces, craft more complex persuasive writing, and customize the ways they use their writer’s notebooks as gardens for their “longer” writing. 

Fifth graders can – and do - write more.  Some students even begin to think that volume trumps quality.  This is just one reason it is so important to infuse our launching studies with discussions about living a writerly life and helping students expand their definitions and purposes for writing.  Helping students envision writing beyond school (or as just a school subject) and embracing it as a life tool are key focus lessons throughout a study of writing with our fifth grade authors.

Equally important is working to create a community of writers with our students.  As all our favorite writers share in every interview or autobiographical sketch, writers need other writers.  Offering our growing writers the support and kinship of each other and ourselves fuels everyone’s efforts.  The energy of a fifth grade Writers’ Workshop could surely power London or Las Vegas!

In the weeks before you begin this first unit of study, draw from your own writing well.  Think about what you do as a writer.  Why do you write?  When do you write?  Begin to record your insights.  What you write down will give you brilliant ways to model, name, and explain writing for and with your students.  Your first lessons with your fifth graders will be edifying to all your students because they authentically come from your writing.

MENTOR TEXT SUGGESTIONS for Launching Writers’ Workshop Studies

I love to lose myself in other men’s minds.  When I am not walking, I am reading;                                           I cannot sit and think.  Books think for me.                                                                                                                                           Charles Lamb (1775 – 1834)

Fifth Grade Anchor/Protected Texts

(tentatively profiled at this time):

·       Marshfield Dreams by Ralph Fletcher

·       Rebel Girl by Elizabeth Gurley

·        (And?)        

“What Writers Do” Mentor Texts:

·        Author: A True Story by Helen Lester (autobiographical; picture book)

·        Author Talk:  Conversations with Judy Blume, Bruce Brooks, Karen Cushman…by Leonard Marcus (nonfiction)

·        Begin at the Beginning: A Little Artist Learns About Life by Amy Schwartz [beginning any artistic venture with what you know best; procrastination in the face of challenging work]

·        Best Wishes by Cynthia Rylant (picture book)

·        Books are by People by Lee Bennett Hopkins

·        The Boy on Fairfield Street: How Ted Geisel Grew Up to Be Dr. Seuss by Kathlelen Krull [biographical]

·        Dear Author:  Students Write About the Books That Changed Their Lives from Read Magazine

·        Dear Mr. President:  Thomas Jefferson, Letters from a Philadelphia Bookworm

For The Love of Books:  115 Celebrated Writers on the Books They Love Most by Ronald Schwartz  (biographical)

·        Frindle by Andrew Clements  (novel)

·        From One Experience to Another:  Award-winning authors sharing real-life experiences through fiction by Jerry and Helen Weiss (biographical)

·        The Girl from Yamhill by Beverly Cleary (autobiographical)

·        Guys Write for Guys Read:  Boys’ Favorite Authors Write About Being Boys by  Jon Sciezka EXCELLLENT MENTOR TEXT FOR 5^TH GRADERS J!!! (multiple genres but mostly biographical)

·        How I Came to Be a Writer by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor (biographical)

·        How I Survived My Summer Vacation…And Lived to Write the Story by Robin Friedman  (nonfiction)

·        How Writers Work by Pamela Lloyd (nonfiction)

·        How Writers Work by Ralph Fletcher (nonfiction)

·        If You Want to Write by Janet Wong  (picture book)

·        If You Were a Writer by Joan Lowery Nixon [authentic fictional window into the life of a writer]

·        Insects Are My Life by Megan McDonald [finding your passion]

·        Knots in My Yo-Yo String by Jerry Spinelli  (autobiographical)

·        A Letter From Phoenix Farm by Jane Yolen  (picture book)

·        Live Writing by Ralph Fletcher (nonfiction)

·        Lives of the Writers by Kathleen Krull  (biographical)

·        Look at My Book:  How Kids Can Write and Illustrate Terrific Books by Loreen Leedy (nonfiction)

·        Looking Back: A Book of Memories by Lois Lowry (autobiographical)

·        Love That Dog by Sharon Creech  (poetic novel)

·        My Grandfather’s Pencil by Michael Foreman (picture bookish; autobiographically-based)

·        Once Upon a Time from Reading Is Fundamental (stories from favorite authors)

·        One Writer’s Beginnings by Eudora Welty (autobiographical – and brilliant!!!)

·        The Open Door:  When Writers First Learned to Read by Steven Gilbar (biographical)

·        Playing with Words by James Howe  (picture book)

·        Rachel’s Journal by Marissa Moss  (picture book)

·        Show, Don’t Tell:  Secrets of Writing by Josephine Nobisso  (picture book)

·        Talking to Faith Ringgold by Ringgold, Freeman, and Rocher  (picture book)

·        Talking with Artists by Pat Cummings  (biographical)

·        When I Was Your Age:  Original Stories of Growing Up (Volumes I and II) by Amy Ehrlich  (biographical)

·        The World of William Joyce by William Joyce  (picture book)

·        The Young Author’s Do-It-Yourself Book by Guthrie and Bentley  (nonfiction)

“Characters Who Write” Mentor Texts

·        Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin (picture book)

·        The Day of Ahmed’s Secret by Florence parry Heide  (picture book)

·        Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles (novel)

·        Mr. putter and Tabby Write the Book by Cynthia Rylant   (picture book)

·        The School Story by Andrew Clements   [novel]

·       Shakespeare Bats Cleanup by Ron Koertge   [novel]

Writer’s Notebook Text Set:

·        Amelia’s Notebooks by Marissa Moss  (picture book)

·        Bluewater Journal:  The Voyage of the SEA TIGER by Loretta Krupinski  (picture book)

·        Oprah’s Journals

o   Excerpt offered as attached unit resource.

·        A Writer’s Notebook:  The Ultimate Guide to Creative Writing. By Pamela Curtis Swallow.  (nonfiction) 

·        The Young Writer’s Companion:  Journal by Sarah Ellis  (nonfiction)

·        Zlata’s Diary by Zlata (nonfiction)

“Living a Literate Life”/Books for Growing Writers Mentor Texts:

·        Abeel, Samantha.  Reach for the Moon.  (poetry collection by child author)

·        Aliki.  How a Book is Made.  (picture book)

·        Aliki.  Painted Words, Spoken Words:  Marianthe’s Story.  (picture book)

·        Althea.  Making a Book.  (picture book)

·        Asher, Sandy.  Where Do You Get Ideas?  (picture book)

·        Atkin, B.  Voices from the Field:  Children of Migrant Farmworkers Tell Their Stories.  (picture book)

·        Brennan-Nelson, Denise.  Someday Is Not A Day of the Week.  (picture book)

·        Bunting, Eve.  Once Upon a Time.  (picture book)

·        Cassedy, Sylvia.  In Your Own Words:  A Beginner’s Guide to Writing. (nonfiction)

·        Christelow, Eileen.  What Do Authors Do?  (picture book)

·        Cleary, Beverly.  The Girl from Yamhill.  (autobiography)

·        Clements, Andrew.  Frindle.  (novel)

·        Cole, Joanna and Saul.  On the Bus with Joanna Cole:  A Creative Autobiography.  (picture book)

·        Creech, Sharon.  Love That Dog.  (poetic novel)

·        Cronin, Doreen.  Diary of a Worm.  (picture book)

·        Cronin, Doreen.  Diary of a Spider.  (picture book)

·        Cronin, Doreen.  Click Clack Moo:  Cows That Type  (picture book)

·        Cummings, Pat.  Talking with Artists [Volume One; Volume Two].  (biographical)

·        Dakos, Kalli.  The Bug in Teacher’s Coffee and Other School Poems.  (picture book)

·        Ehrlich, Amy.  When I Was Your Age: Original Stories About Growing Up I & II.  (biographical)

·        Ellis, Sarah.  The Young Writer’s Companion:  Journal.  (nonfiction)

·        Fletcher, Ralph.  How Writers Work.  (nonfiction)

·        Fletcher, Ralph.   Live Writing:  Breathing Life Into Your Words. (nonfiction)

·        Fletcher, Ralph.   What A Writer Needs.  (nonfiction)

·        Fletcher, Ralph.  A Writing Kind of Day:  Poems for Young Poets.  (picture book)

·        Florian, Douglas.  Autumnblings.  (picture book)

·        Freedom Writes and Gruwell, E.  The Freedom Writers Diary: How a Teacher and 150 Teens Used Writing to Change Themselves and the World Around Them. (memoir; biographical)

·        Friedman, Robin.  How I Survived My Summer Vacation…And Lived to Write the Story. (autobiographical)

·        George, Kristin O’Connell.  Little Dog Poems.    (picture book)

·        George, Kristin O’Connell.  Swimming Upstream:  Middle School Poems.  (picture)

·        Gilbar, Steven.  The Open Door:  When Writers First Learned to Read. (memoir)

·        Guthrie and Bentley.  The Young Author’s Do-It-Yourself Book.  (nonfiction)

·        Hopkins, Lee Bennett.  Books are by People.  (biographical)

·        Howe, James.  Playing with Words.  (picture book)

·        Janeczko, Paul B.  Poetry From A to Z:  A Guide for Young Writers.   (poetry; nonfiction)

·        Janeczko, Paul B.  A Scholastic Guide:  How To Write Poetry.  (poetry; nonfiction)

·        Kehoe, Michael.  A Book Takes Root:  The Making of a Picture Book.  (picture book)

·        Kennedy, Caroline.  A Family of Poems:  My Favorite Poetry for Children.  (poetry)

·        Kloske, Geoffrey.  Once upon a time, then End (asleep in 60 second).   (stories)

·        Krull, Kathleen.  Lives of the Writers.  (biographical)

·        Krupinski, Loretta.  Bluewater Journal:  The Voyage of the SEA TIGER.  (picture book)

·        Leedy, Loreen.  Look at My Book:  How Kids Can Write & Illustrate Terrific Books.  (nonfiction)

·        Lloyd, Pamela.  How Writers Work.  (nonfiction)

·        London, Jonathan.  Like Butter on Pancakes.  (picture book)

·        Lowry, Lois.  Looking Back:  A Book of Memories.  (autobiographical/memoir)

·        Marcus, Leonard.  Author Talk:  Conversations with Judy Blume, Bruce Brooks, Karen Cushman, Russell Freedman….  (biographical/memoir)

·        McPhail, David.  In Flight with David McPhail.  (picture book)

·        Moses, Barry and Harper, Isabella.  My Dog Rosie.  (picture book)

·        Nabisso, J.  Show, Don’t Tell.  (picture book)

·        Navasky, Bruno.  Festival in My Heart:  Poems by Japanese Children.  (picture book)

·        Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds.  How I Came to Be a Writer.  (nonfiction; memoir)

·        Nixon, Joan Lowery.   The Making of a Writer.  (memoir)

·        Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds.  How I Came To Be A Writer.  (memoir)

·        Numeroff, Laura and Harpham, W.  The Hope Tree:  Kids Talk About Breast Cancer. (picture book)

·        Pulver, Robin.  Punctuation Takes a Vacation.  (picture book)

·        Rylant, Cynthia.  Best Wishes:  Meet the Author Series.  (picture book)

·        Shwartz, Ronald.  For The Love of Books:  115 Celebrated Writers on the Books They Love Most.  (biographical)

·        Spain, Sahara Sunday. if there would be no light. (poetry collection by child author)

·        Spinelli, Jerry.  Knots in My Yo-yo String.  (autobiographical)

·        Stepanek, Mattie.  Heartsongs.  (poetry collection by child author)

·        Stepanek, Mattie.  Journey to Heartsongs. (poetry collection by child author)

·        Stevens, Janet.  From Pictures to Words:  A Book About Making A Book.  (picture book)

·        Swallow, Pamela Curtis. A Writer’s Notebook:  The Ultimate Guide to Creative Writing.  (nonfiction)

·        Wong, Janet. You Have To Write.  (picture book)

·        Yolen, Jane.  A Letter from Phoenix Farm.  (picture book)

·        Zemach, Kaethe.   The Character in the Book.  (picture book)

Mentor texts from child/student poets:

·        Abeel, Samantha.  Reach for the Moon. 

·        Spain, Sahara Sunday. if there would be no light.

·        Stepanek, Mattie.  Heartsongs.

·        Stepanek, Mattie.  Journey to Heartsongs.

Mentor texts to support students’ family memories writing:

·        Baseball, Snakes, and Summer Squash:  Poems About Growing Up by Donald Graves (memoir)

·        Bee Tree by Patricia Polacco   (picture book)

·        The Birthday Letters by Charlotte Pomerantz (picture book)

·        Dear Abuelita by Sofia Keane  (picture book)

·        Family Portraits:  Remembrances By Twenty Distinguished Writers by Carolyn Anthony  (biographical)

·        Nana Upstairs, Nana Downstairs by Tomie dePaola   (picture book)

·        Papa’s Stories by Dolores Johnson   (picture book)

Mentor texts to support students’ school memories writing:

·        Aaugh!  A Dog Ate My Book Report by Charles Schultz (memoir)

·        Don’t Read This Book Whatever You Do!  More Poems About School by Kalli Dakos

·        Fringle by Andrew Clements  (poetry)

·        Miss Alaineus:  A Vocabulary Disaster by Debra Fraiser  (picture book)

·        The School Story by Andrew Clements  (novel)

·        Some Good News by Cynthia Rylant  (easy novel)

·        Thank you, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco  (picture book)

Mentors texts to support students’ passion writing (Writers write about their passions):

·        And Nobody Got Hurt:  The World’s Weirdest, Wackiest True Sport Stories by Len Benman  (nonfiction)

·        Dark Horse by Dandi Daly Mackall  (nonfiction)

·        A Dog’s Life:  Autobiography of a Stray by Ann Martin  (autobiographical; biographical)

·        Find It, Make It:  Green Crafts for Kids by Clare Youngs

·        Good Sports by Jack Prelutsky  (nonfiction)

·        My Dog Rosie by Barry Moser and Isabella Harper   (picture book; nonfiction)

·        Speak!  Children’s book Illustrators Brag About Their Dogs by Michael Rosen  (memoir/autobiographical)

·        That’s Why We Don’t Eat Animals by Ruby Roth  (nonfiction)

·        Vera Wang:  A Passion for Bridal and Lifestyle Design by Diane Dakers  (biographical)

Potential Author Studies:

Ralph Fletcher (especially with Marshfield Dreams as an anchor/protected unit text)

Lois Lowery

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Joan Lowery Nixon

J.K. Rowling

Mattie Stepanek

Supportive Internet Resources:

Barry Lane  http://www.discover-writing.com/

Boy Reader - Me, a writer?  http://theboyreader.blogspot.com/2011/07/me-writer.html

Carol Wilcox (A remarkable writer and passionate reader, Carol shares her recent “best reads” in this delightful blog.  Wonderful source for mentor text ideas.)     http://carolwscorner.blogspot.com/

Choice Literacy     www.choiceliteracy.com

Columbia University Teachers College     http://www.unitsofstudy.com 

http://www.readingandwritingproject.com/public/themes/rwproject/resources/assessments/writing/

Daniel Beaty   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEV9Qcvd97E

Debra Fraiser (editing focus)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iGfYt8fR4U

Guys Read     www.guysread.com

Father Goose (source for delightful read alouds) http://charlesghigna.blogspot.com/2011/03/be-still-in-world.html

International Reading Association     www.ira.org

Journey North (writing strategies)  http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/InstrucStrat40.html

               Nonfiction/Factual writing focus:  http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/InstrucStrat38.html

Kate DiCamillo (first draft focus)  http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/flashlightreaders/wd_draft1.htm

http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/flashlightreaders/wd_drafts.htm

Kids Read    www.kidsread.com

Mark Overmeyer     http://markovermeyer.wordpress.com/

Mary Ehrenworth,  Teachers College (especially helpful for parent education)

 http://www.chappaqua.k12.ny.us/videos.cfm?vID=5509

National Council of Teachers of English/NCTE     www.ncte.org

Implementing the writing process:  http://www.readwritethink.org/professional-development/strategy-guides/implementing-writing-process-30386.html

Persuasive writing focus:  http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/convince-developing-persuasive-writing-56.html

Revision focus:  http://www.readwritethink.org/resources/resource-print.html?id=1183

National Writing Project     http://nwp.edgateway.net

            30 Ideas for Teaching Writing *Offered as attached unit resource.

            Digital Writing/Communication  http://digitalis.nwp.org/resource/2503

            The Field Trip Within  http://www.nwp.org/cs/public/print/resource/401*Offered as attached unit resource.

Patrick Allen     http://all-en-a-days-work.blogspot.com/

Planet Esme     http://planetesme.blogspot.com/

Poetry    http://poetryforchildren.blogspot.com      http://leebennetthopkinsaward.blogspot.com/

Ralph Fletcher http://www.ralphfletcher.com/tips.html

(mentor text podcast)     http://www.choiceliteracy.com/public/1561.cfm

Randi Allison     http://tasteslikechocolate.blogspot.com/

Read Write Think              www.readwritethink.org/standards/index.html

www.readwritethink.org/resources/index.asp?wsgrade=0&webresource=0&display.x=37&display.y=11

www.readwritethink.org/lessons/index.asp?grade=0&strand=0&engagement=0&display.x=30&display.y=14

Reading Rockets     www.readingrockets.com

Ruth Ayers          http://ruthayreswrites.blogspot.com/

http://www.stenhouse.com/shop/pc/viewprd.asp?idProduct=9251&r=

Six Traits             http://www.thetraits.org/index.php             

http://www.thetraits.org/index.php  www.nwrel.org/assessment/pdfRubrics/6plus1traits.PDF www.kent.k12.wa.us/curriculum/writing/elem_writing/Bib/6traits.htm

Six Traits and standards connections as well as anchor paper links and rubric banks:
http://www.smekenseducation.com/idea-library-teaching-writing/writing/writing-to-a-prompt/seeing-the-traits-within-the-new-common-core-standards/  [The referenced standards are the U.S. Common Core State Standards/CCSS but the parallels could be helpful in making connections to the Ontario ELA Standards.]

Stanford University – Expository Writing    http://www.stanford.edu/~arnetha/expowrite/info.html

Trevor Cairney   http://trevorcairney.blogspot.com/

Two Writing Teachers     http://two.writingteachers.com      http://twowritingteachers.wordpress.com 

Write Brained Teacher     http://writebrainedteacher.blogspot.com/

Writing Fix     http://writingfix.com  (persuasive writing focus)  http://writingfix.com/genres/persuasive.htm

Professional Resources:

·        Anderson, Carl.  (2005). Assessing Writers.  Heinemann.

o   Chapter Two – Getting Started:  Developing an assessment lens; Chapter Three – Assessing Students as Initiators of Writing; Appendix 1; Appendix 4.

·        Anderson, Carl.  (2000).  How’s It Going? A Practical Guide to Conferring with Student Writers.  Heinemann.

o   If you are new to conferring, this will be an invaluable book to read and study over the summer.  Reading this book with Carl’s DVD collection in Strategic Writing Conferences offers you excellent modeling of edifying conferences.

o   If you have studied with Carl/feel confident about your conferring rituals, make sure to revisit Chapters One – Conferences are Conversations, Two – The Teacher’s Role in the Conference, and Five – Laying the Groundwork for Conferences.

o   If you have concerns or questions about classroom management, study Chapter 7 – What Are All the Other Students Doing?

·        Anderson, Carl.  (2009).  Strategic Writing Conferences: Smart Conversations That Move Young Writers Forward (text and DVD’s). Heinemann. 

·        Angelillo, Janet.  (2008).  Whole-Class Teaching:  Minilessons and More.  Heinemann.

·        Atwell, Nancie. (2007).  Lessons That Change Writers (Text and DVD’s). Heinemann.

·        Ayers, Ruth and Schbitz, Stacey. (2010).  Day by Day: Refining Writing Workshop Through 180 Days of Reflective Practice.  Stenhouse.

·        Buckner, Aimee. (2005). Notebook Know How.  Stenhouse.

·        Calkins, Lucy.  (1994).  The Art of Teaching Writing.

o   Chapters 6 and 7.

·        Calkins, Lucy.  (2003).  The Nuts and Bolts of Teaching Writing.

·        Calkins, Lucy and Martinelli, Marjorie.  Launching the Writing Workshop, Grades 3-5.  Heinemann.

o   “Organized for Drafting” offered as attached unit resource.

·        Cruz, Colleen M.  (2004).  Independent Writing:  One Teacher – Thirty-Two Needs, Topics and Plans. Heinemann.

·        Cruz, Colleen M. (2008).  A Quick Guide to Reaching Struggling Writers.  Heinemann.

·        Culham, Ruth.  [multiple Six Traits of Writing titles]

·        Davis, Judy and Hill, Sharon. (2003). The No-Nonsense Guide to Teaching Writing: Strategies, Structures, and Solutions.  Heinemann.

·        Doble, Ann, Maher, Harriet, McDonald, Connie, and O’Shaughnessy, Kathleen.  (2002).  “Who, What, Where, When of Writing Rituals.”   The Quarterly. 

o   Attached unit resource.

·        Dorfman, Lynne. (2006).   Mentor Texts: Teaching Writing Through Children's Literature, K-6.  Stenhouse.

·        Fisher, Douglas and Frey, Nancy.  (2007).  Scaffolded Writing Instruction: Teaching With a Gradual-Release Framework.  Scholastic. 

·        Fletcher, Ralph.  (2006).  Boy Writers:  Reclaiming Their Voices.  Stenhouse.

·        Fletcher, Ralph.  (1996).  Breathing In, Breathing Out:  Keeping a Writer’s Notebook.  Heinemann.

·        Fletcher, Ralph.  (2007).  How to Write Your Life. Collins.

·        Fletcher, Ralph.  (2000).  How Writers Work:  Finding a Process That Works for You.  Harper Collins.

·        Fletcher, Ralph. (1999). Live Writing:  Breathing Life into Your Words. Harper Collins.

·        Fletcher, Ralph.  (2011). Mentor Author, Mentor Texts: Short Texts, Craft Notes, and Practical Classroom Uses.

·        Fletcher, Ralph.  (2010). Pyrotechnics on the Page: Playful Craft That Sparks Writing.  Stenhouse. 

·        Fletcher, Ralph.  (1992).  What a Writer Needs.  Heinemann.

·        Fletcher, Ralph. (1996). The Writer’s Notebook:  Unlocking the Writer Within You. Harper Collins.

·        Fletcher, Ralph and Portalupi, JoAnn.  (2007).  Craft Lessons.  Teaching Writing K – 8.  Stenhouse.

·        Fletcher, Ralph and Portalupi, JoAnn.  (2001).  Writing Workshop:  The Essential Guide.  Stenhouse.

·        Fountas, Irene and Pinnell, Gay Su.  (2001).  Guiding Readers and Writers (Grades 3-6): Teaching, Comprehension, Genre, and Content Literacy.  Heinemann.

·        Glover, Matt.  (2009).  Engaging Young Writers: Preschool-Grade One.  Heinemann.

·        Graves, Donald.  *All Don’s titles such as Investigate with Nonfiction, A Fresh Look at Writing, and Quick Writes offer infinite learning-teaching possibilities and they are all deeply good for the soul.

·        Harwayne, Shelley. (2000).  Lifetime Guarantees:  Toward Ambitious Literacy Teaching.  Heinemann.

o   Chapter One - Designing the Literacy Landscape; Chapter Two – Reflecting on the Teaching of Writing; Page 61/60-67 (daily schedule and supportive schoolwide structures); A-6 (author studies).

·        Harwayne, Shelley.  (2001).  Writing through Childhood.  Heinemann. 

o   Chapter Two – Designing Writing Workshops with Children in Mind; Chapter Six - Working with Our Youngest Writers.

·        Heard, Georgia.  (2002).  The Revision Toolbox.  Heinemann.

·        Hill, Bonnie Campbell and Ekey, Carrie. (2010). The Next Step Guide To Enhancing Writing Instruction:  Rubrics and Resources for Self-Evaluation and Goal Setting.  Heinemann.

o   Chapters 1 and 5 and Appendix A, B, C, D, and E. 

·        Hill, Bonnie Campbell and Ekey, Carrie.  (2010).  The Next Step Guide to Enriching Classroom Environments.  Heinemann.

o   Superb, practical resource as you develop your setting for literacy learning including edifying self-evaluation tools.

·        Hill, Bonnie Campbell.  Supporting Your Child’s Literacy Learning:  A Guide for Parents.  Heinemann.

o   Excellent text to share with parents. 

·        Kirby, Dan & Liner, Tom.  Inside Out:  Developmental Strategies for Teaching Writing. 

·        Laminack, Lester and Wadsworth, Reba.  (2006). Learning Under the Influence of Language and Literature. Heinemann.

·        Lane, Barry. After the End:  Teaching and Learning Creative Revision

·        Lane, Barry.  (2008).  But How Do You Teach Writing? A Simple Guide for All Teachers. Scholastic. 

o   Sample of text offered as attached unit resource.

·        Overmeyer, Mark.  (2005). When Writing Workshop Isn't Working: Answers to Ten Tough Questions, Grades 2-5.  Stenhouse.

·        Overmeyer, Mark. (2009). What Student Writing Teaches Us: Formative Assessment in the Writing Workshop.  Stenhouse.

·        Ray, Katie Wood.  (2006). Study Driven A Framework of Planning Units of Study in the Writing Workshop. Heinemann, 2006.

o   Pages 38-46 (vision for writing, counting books, travel guide writing), 90 (the role of approximation), and 151 (important considerations for kindergarten teachers and writers).

·        Ray, Katie Wood.  (1999). Wondrous Words. National Council of Teachers of English.

·        Ray, Katie Wood with Laminack, Lester.  (2001). The Writing Workshop:  Working through the Hard Parts (and They’re All Hard Parts).  National Council of Teachers of English.

·        Routman, Regie.  (2000).  Conversations.

o   Chapters 6, 7, 8, and 9. 

·        Routman, Regie (2004). Writing Essentials. Heinemann.

·        Spandel, Vicki.  (2003).  Creating Young Writers: Using the Six Traits to Enrich Writing Process in Primary Classrooms.  Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.

·        Wilson, Amy Alexandra. (2008).  Motivating Young Writers Through Write Talks.  The Reading Teacher.

o   Attached unit resource. 

Autobiographical and Literary Texts to Inspire Us as Writing Teachers – and as Writers Ourselves!

·        Allende, Isabelle.  Inventing the Truth.

·        Browder, Walter.  Happily Ever After:  A Book Lover’s Treasury of Happy Endings.

·        Cameron, Julia.  The Artist’s Way.

·        Cameron, Julia.  The Right to Write.

·        Elbow, Peter.  Writing with Power.

·        Freed, Lynn.  Reading, Writing, and Leaving Home:  Life on the Page. 

·        Goldberg, Natalie.  Writing Down the Bones.

·        Goldberg, Natalie.  The Writing Life.

·        Gordimer, Nadine.  Writing and Being.

·        King, Stephen.  On Writing.

·        Lamott, Anne.  Bird by Bird.

·        Quindlen, Anna.  Being Perfect. 

·        Stegner, Wallace.  On the Teaching of Creative Writing. 

·        Strunk, W. & White, E.B.  Elements of Style.

·        Ueland, Brenda.  If You Want to Write.