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Independent Writing: One Teacher---Thirty-Two Needs, Topics, and Plans
Contributor(s): Cruz, M. Colleen (Author)
ISBN: 0325005400     ISBN-13: 9780325005409
Publisher: Heinemann Educational Books
OUR PRICE:   $35.48  
Product Type: Paperback
Published: February 2004
Qty:
Temporarily out of stock - Will ship within 2 to 5 weeks
Annotation: "What is so special about Colleen Cruz's ambitious book is that she shows us that we can truly teach independence in writing. Our students can become writers who take initiative, make plans, learn from other writers, and apply writing strategies on their own, not only in class, but outside of school. I know of no other book quite like this one!" - Carl Anderson, Author of "Hows It Going?""This book has the potential to change the professional conversation about the teaching of writing . . . Many thanks to Colleen for writing a book that will take us somewhere new." - Katie Wood Ray, Author of "What You Know by Heart""We all dream of leading thriving writing workshops in which every student is hard at work on a self-initiated, self-designed piece, each completely different from the next. We dream of creating confident writers that don't rely on us to put their thoughts and words to paper in powerful ways. The path to realizing this dream can be chaotic. With this much-needed book, Colleen Cruz brings us the courage, humor, and ingenious methods we need to coach students to work and excel at writing on their own." - Lucy Calkins, Author of "The Art of Teaching Writing"

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 withplentiful 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 progressways to turn notebooks into authentic working documents by referring to writing notebooks of professional writersexamples for changing the classroom into a writing colony full of writers who can be a resource to each othersuggestions for dealing with trouble, maintaining quality of work, and moving forwardeasy-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.

Additional Information
BISAC Categories:
- Education | Elementary
- Education | Teaching Methods & Materials - General
Dewey: 372.623
LCCN: 2003020268
Physical Information: 0.41" H x 7.28" W x 9.3" (0.78 lbs) 208 pages
 
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc.
Publisher Description:

There is a truth, and an irony, in thisthat 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 textspublished 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.


    Contributor Bio(s): Cruz, M. Colleen: - In addition to being the author of The Unstoppable Writing Teacher, M. Colleen Cruz is the author of several other titles for teachers, including Independent Writing and A Quick Guide to Helping Struggling Writers, as well as the author of the young adult novel Border Crossing, a Tomas Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award Finalist. Colleen was a classroom teacher in general education and inclusive settings before joining the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project where she is Director of Innovation. Colleen presently supports schools, teachers and their students nationally and internationally as a literacy consultant.