Jean Phifer

OWP

Book Report 2

If You’re Trying to Teach Kids How to Write...you’ve gotta have this book!

by Marjorie Frank

This is an awesome book! It is teacher friendly and filled with a multitude of writing ideas and activities. I can’t wait to purchase it!

The contents of the book include the following chapters:

1. The Roots - “Can I really teach someone else to write?”

2. The Foundations - “But they groan when it’s time for writing!”

3. The Romance - “They always say they can’t think of anything to write.”

4. The Process - “How do I get them to develop their ideas?”

5. Tools and ‘Techniques - “If I focus on teaching skills, won’t I stifle creativity?”

6. Response and Revision - “It’s like pulling teeth to get kids to edit and revise!”

7. Presenting - “What do we do with the writing when it’s finished?”

8. Writing Portfolios - “What do portfolios have to do with teaching writing?”

9. Assessment - “I’m not sure how to evaluate writing!”

10. Problems - “I have this kid who just WON’T!”

11. Just Ideas - “I always run out of ideas by October!”

12. Independence - “How can I get them on their own?”

Frank states “You don’t teach writing. You teach WRITERS.” This means writers must: connect their writing with their real world, be fed good ideas and techniques, have a teacher who guides and joins them in writing, have a safe and caring environment in which to write, and do all kinds of writing, not just stories, essays, or poems.

Some ways in which to connect writers to writing is to use work play and to inspire them with literature, music, art, themselves, movement, feelings, talking, adventures, and experiences.

Good writing includes the technical skills of writing and creativity.

Frank includes the writing process, how to get kids to respond and revise their writing, and many ways in which to share their writing. Other chapters include: portfolios, assessment, scoring, and problems that might arise.