First Grade Writers: Units of Study to Help Children Plan, Organize, and Structure Their Ideas
by Stephanie Parsons
ISBN 0-325-00524-9
Heinemann
Copyright 2005
I have to admit that I saved this book review for last. It is not the type of book you pick up for a quick lesson idea which you photocopy and hope to effectively teach the morning of the lesson. This book, however beneficial, was going to take some time to get through. I am glad I spent that time.
The author begins the book by describing how to build a community of writers. She sets up bullet points on how to best build a safe environment for young writers to most effectively engage them in the writing process. She continues this chapter by offering timelines, charts, and organizational tools to help the 1st grade teacher accomplish these goals.
This book consists of five main chapters:
1. Building a Community of Writers
2. Pattern Books
3. Non-Fiction Question and Answer Books
4. Personal Narrative
5. Fiction
Each chapter is written in the same format with headings and subheadings. I found this to be very helpful when reading through the ideas/lessons. Each chapter contains student examples for better clarity of the process and finished product. The chapters conclude with an easy to use assessment check-sheet for clear feedback not only for teacher records, but for conferencing with the student and for the parents.
Because the chapters are formatted the same, after youíve completed the first lesson, it would be easy to feel confident each subsequent chapter. This book would be an easy reference throughout the writing period. The repeated format allows the teacher to quickly see where in the process the students are at, and what needs to happen next. The planning guide at the beginning of each chapter allows the teacher to feel prepared and has given the teacher opportunity to gather the books and materials needed for the upcoming unit.
The headings/subheadings are:
1. Overview
2. Goals
1. Writing Quality
2. Writing Habits
3. Writing Conventions
4. Community
3. Getting Ready to Teach
1. Considering the Students
2. Gathering Books
3. Making Paper
4. Teaching
1.
2. Telling and Planning Stories
3. Possible Teaching Points
4. Developing Our Stories in Writing
5. Revising and Editing
6. Publication, Reflection, and Assessment
5. Predictable Problems
6. Assessment
Personally, I find teaching writing to emerging writers very difficult. This book is the help I have been looking for. I am excited to use this book in my classroom to help establish from the start a love for writing and give my students new ways to express themselves. First Grade Writers is a must-have for any 1st grade teacher.