Independent Writing: One Teacher, Thirty-Two Needs, Topics, and Plans - Softcover

Cruz, M.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0325005400 ISBN 13: 9780325005409

Publisher: Pearson, 2004

Synopsis

There is a truth, and an irony, in this: that writing is a supreme act of independence and yet most writing programs foster inherently dependent behaviors. But no more. Colleen Cruz knows that it's possible to teach and fully support a whole classroom full of independent writers. And you can do this with each young writer no matter the genre, the topic, or the stage of the writing process. With  Independent Writing, she takes you inside her classroom and documents a full school year of writing instruction with plentiful student examples, teacher's notes, practical advice, and attention to writing standards. Cruz offers a variety of methods not only to get students writing independently, but to get them producing work that both reflects their own interests and displays their skills. Look inside for:

• Step-by-step instructions in the use of "mentor texts"–published pieces of writing used to inform students' own work in progress
• Ways to turn notebooks into authentic working documents by referring to writing notebooks of professional writers
• Examples for changing the classroom into a writing colony full of writers who can be a resource to each other
• Suggestions for dealing with trouble, maintaining quality of work, and moving forward
• Easy-to-follow charts for organizing minilessons, addressing problems, and making modifications for students needing additional support

Children can "make or write anything they want," says Cruz, and they can do it independently if they are shown how. Find out how in this practical book. And make each of your students a lifelong writer.

About this title

About the Author

M. Colleen Cruz is a fierce advocate for the students and teachers with whom she shares her passion for accessibility, twenty-first century learning, and social justice. An educator with over two decades of experience in both general education and inclusive settings, Colleen is also the author of several books for teachers including Risk. Fail. Rise. A Teacher's Guide to Learning from Mistakes and The Unstoppable Writing Teacher, as well as the author of a young adult novel, Border Crossing, a Tomas Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Finalist. Additionally, Colleen co-edits the Not This But That series with Nell Duke - a popular series of books that pairs research and practice. Colleen has served as a senior staff developer and later the Director of Innovation at Teachers College Reading & Writing Project, Columbia University. She currently supports organizations, districts and schools who want to bring her unique combination of integrity, humor, real-world practicality and a rare depth and breadth of scholarship to their communities.

Edition details

• Publisher: Pearson
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0325005400
• ISBN 13: 9780325005409
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 208