Reading/Writing Connections in the K-2 Classroom: Find the Clarity and Then Blur the Lines

By utilizing the reading/writing connection, teachers can fit more into a day than they ever dreamt possible. Reading/Writing Connections in the K-2 Classroom demonstrates how through careful, explicit assessing, planning and teaching every student can understand the relationship between reading and writing.

Filled with practical classroom strategies based on both theory and research, this resource demonstrates how to move students between reading and writing to become more skillful readers and writers. The book explores the essential understandings needed to use the reading/writing connection; demonstrates how planning helps to use the reading/writing connection; and outlines teaching strategies to use the connection to strengthen your everyday encounters with students. Charts, minilessons, and curriculum calendars provide ways to organize your ideas. A special feature called “For Further Study” is included for staff developers, literacy leaders, principals and members of study groups to provide a track for continued learning.

Assessment is integrated into each chapter, providing a clear image of what it looks like to assess in the service of student learning. Practical ways to integrate phonemic awareness, phonics, word study and spelling into planning and teaching reading and writing are incorporated throughout. Word study is integrated into each chapter to ensure a systematic approach to the topic.

RINGING ENDORSEMENT FROM RENOWNED AUTHOR LUCY CALKINS:
“Leah’s book reveals ‘Leah, the classroom teacher’; ‘Leah, the staff developer’; ‘Leah, the budding scholar’; and ‘Leah, the woman. ’. . . . Leah Mermelstein invites you into her schools, her workshops, her summer institutes, and most importantly, she invites you into her mind. She demonstrates throughout the book that she cares that you and your students not only use the reading/writing connection but that you also understand it. Every word, every sentence is carefully crafted towards this understanding.”
―Lucy Calkins, Teachers College, Columbia University

ONE REVIEWER SUMS IT UP!
“Reading this book was like having a conversation with a respected colleague. It is lively, logical and interesting. . . . This is the best description of meaning, structure and visual sources of information that I have ever seen.”
―Tara Azwell, Emporia State University

This book is filled with practical classroom strategies that will help your students become skillful readers and writers!

Reading/Writing Connections in the K-2 Classroom demonstrates how through careful, explicit assessing, planning and teaching every student can understand and use the relationship between reading and writing.

Highlights of the Book:

• Includes strategies on how to make assessment part of lesson planning and classroom teaching
• Incorporates phonemic awareness, phonics, word study and spelling throughout
• Putting The Reading/Writing Connection Into Action feature suggests practical ways to use the reading/writing connection in the classroom
• Charts, minilessons, and curriculum calendars provide organization of ideas
• Includes appendix of professional literature, classroom examples and assessment tools
• For Further Study feature for staff developers, literacy leaders, principals and/or members of a study group

About the Author:
Leah is a nationally recognized literacy consultant who specializes in primary reading and writing. She works with students, teachers, principals and other district leaders helping them to design thoughtful plans for the teaching of reading and writing. She is the coauthor of Launching the Writing Workshop (with Lucy Calkins) (Heinemann).