Writing
Books for Students
Grades 5 - 9
Spilling Ink: A Young Writer's Handbook by Anne Mazer. Illustrated by Matt Phelan. Nonfiction. 288 pages.
Find this book: Local Bookstore, Amazon
There are specific suggestions here but the entire work comes off more in the style of coaching or of a veteran sending back stories from their own experiences. It has just the right tone of encouraging and inspiring without intimidating the reader. It blows lightly but quite decisively on the embers of inspiration. Read More.
Grades 4 - 9
Woe is I Jr.: The Younger Grammarphobe's Guide to Better English in Plain English by Patricia T. O'Conner. Illustrated by Tom Stiglich. Nonfiction. 176 pages.
Find this book: Local Bookstore, Amazon
This is the kids' version of the very popular Woe is I for adults. O'Conner brings the same lighthearted, witty style to this book. From the basic to the tricky this engaging book covers pronouns, punctuation, word order and more. Good for kids in about fourth grade up through high school.
Articles
Professional Books for Teaching Writing
These book reviews by Carol Otis Hurst first appeared in Teaching K-8 Magazine.
McCracken, Robert and Marlene. Stories, Songs and Poetry to Teach Reading and Writing Literacy through Language - (Peguis, 1987 ISBN 0-920541-35-6)
This book is far from new, but it has some wonderful techniques for helping readers interact with text.
Atwell, Nancie. Coming to Know: Writing to Learn in the Intermediate Grades.
Nancie Atwell has compiled a series of articles about reading in the content areas.
Scarffe, Bronwen and Lorraine Wilson. You Can't Make a Book in a Day. Illustrated by Philip Gray (Robert Andersen Assoc. 318b Glenferrie Road, Malvern, Victoria, Australia ISBN 0949133183).
This import from Australia is a good resource for whole language work. With all the emphasis on writing in libraries and classrooms, we need such books as this which, in very clear format, outline ideas and suggestions for turning kids' writing into published books. There are chapters on: the role of the teacher in keeping in touch, developing awareness, steps in publishing, the classroom publishing area, making contact with authors and publishers, and some ditto masters for decision making. There's also a very good bibliography. If the process has been defeating you, this book may offer some help.
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Professional Books for Teaching Spelling:
Phenix, Jo and Doreen Scott-Dunne. Spelling Instruction that Makes Sense. (Oryx, 1992)
I very much like this book on teaching spelling
David Booth has compiled a series of writings called Spelling Links: Reflections on Spelling and Its Place in the Curriculum (Pembroke, 1991 ISBN 0921217692.)
Ethel Buchanan's Spelling for Whole Language Classrooms (Whole Language Consultants, available through Richard C. Owen, 1989 ISBN 0921253176) is an attempt to make connections between a theory of spelling development, instruction and evaluation.
Portfolio Assessment:
Robert J. Tierney, , Mark A. Carter, and Laura E. Desai studied the use of portfolios in local school systems for three years before they compiled Portfolio Assessment in the Reading-Writing Classroom (Christopher Gordon, 1991 ISBN 0926842080.)
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For your convenience you can order these books directly from an online bookstore (Amazon.com):
Caution: Bookmark this page now so you can return when you are done with your order.
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Order (You can always change your mind later.):
- McCracken, Robert and Marlene. Stories, Songs and Poetry to Teach Reading and Writing Literacy through Language
- Atwell, Nancie. Coming to Know: Writing to Learn in the Intermediate Grades.
- Phenix, Jo and Doreen Scott-Dunne. Spelling Instruction that Makes Sense.
- Booth, David. Spelling Links: Reflections on Spelling and Its Place in the Curriculum
- Ethel Buchanan's Spelling for Whole Language Classrooms
- Robert J. Tierney, , Mark A. Carter, and Laura E. Desai. Portfolio Assessment in the Reading-Writing Classroom
Here's more information about our direct order service.
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- Curriculum Areas
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- The Moon and I by Betsy Byars. A related kids book review.
