Until a few decades ago, student writing stood as a distant third in the three R's. Since the late 1970s, however, students have been asked to write more, and teachers have been expected to teach writing more specifically. In spite of this mandate, however, little has been done to prepare teachers for this shift in the curriculum. This primer provides a brief history of the field, as well as an exploration of what we now know about teaching. Teachers entering the field as well as seasoned veterans will find how to foster student writers, and to grow as writers themselves.

Essential reading for teachers interested in the methods and problems of composition but unfamiliar with its current theoretical backgrounds.

This book offers principles to consider when creating a world history syllabus; it prompts a teacher, rather than aiming for full world coverage, to pick an interpretive focus and thread it through the course. It will be used by university faculty, graduate students, and high school teachers who are teaching world history for the first time or want to rethink their approach to teaching the subject.

This book examines nearly 30 years of research to identify how teachers can incorporate writing instruction that helps students master the course content and improve their overall achievement. Building on the recommendations of the National Commission on Writing, authors Vicki Urquhart and Monette McIver introduce four critical issues teachers should address when they include writing in their content courses: Creating a positive environment for the feedback and guidance students need at various stages, including prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing; Monitoring and assessing how much students are learning through their writing; Choosing computer programs that best enhance the writing process; Strengthening their knowledge of course content and their own writing skills.

An essential "how-to" primer, this book examines the process of learning to write and shares evidence-based instructional strategies for the primary grades. With an emphasis on explicit instruction and scaffolding students' learning, the authors explain when and how to teach handwriting, spelling, foundational skills such as sentence formation and editing, and composition in specific genres. They present clear-cut techniques for assessment, differentiation, and supporting struggling writers. The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for Writing are used as a framework for setting instructional goals. Reproducible assessment forms, checklists, and rubrics are provided; purchasers get access to a Web page where they can download and print the reproducible materials in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size.

Joyce Armstrong Carroll has done it again. Bringing together over four decades of teaching with her ability to put her finger on the pulse of what is needed in the profession, Dr. JAC's Reading/Writing Workshop Primer is a big little book packed with nuts and bolts information necessary to design and sustain reading/writing workshop for any grade level K-12. Framed simply into seven substantive sections: introduction, definition, organization, setting it up, tracking teaching, assessment, this primer concludes with suggested sources, a plethora of annotated references waiting to become part of any school's professional library. Yet, while offering techniques, models, and tips, Carroll is clear-workshop offers choices-choices for the teacher and choices for the student. While there is no one way to "do" workshop, this primer invites the novice as well as the experienced to range around its pages for ideas. Innovative strategies such as "Reading Memory Quires," "Literacy Letters," distinctions made and examples given for the many ways to assess the aspects of workshop, and models for creating a workshop that works are among the features in this helpful teacher resource.

Writing is omnipresent in our lives, yet we rarely stop and consider its history and material culture. This volume introduces student readers to the development of writing across time and societies. The book incorporates autoethnography and asks readers to consider writing histories, influences, processes, and tools in their own lives. Short readings are included for each chapter. Designed for composition courses with a Writing About Writing focus or courses in Writing Studies, A Writing Studies Primer is a distinctive, visually engaging introduction to writing through its material culture.