50 Ways to Develop Strategic Writers

In keeping with the National Writing Project's goal to improve writing and learning in our schools by improving the teaching of writing,50 Ways to Develop Strategic Writersprovides a collection of classroom-tested ideas developed and shared in partnerships between the San Joaquin Valley Writing Project and schools and districts in Central California. The collection contains a wealth of clear, successful suggestions for teaching children and adolescents the power of writing strategically. Strategies identify problem-solving behaviors that students learn to use as they write. For example, students understand that writing is a process, that each step requires careful planning and thought, and that the steps are recursive in nature. Written with classroom teachers in mind, the step-by-step directions for each strategy have been carefully constructed so that new as well as experienced teachers can recreate the lessons, which are adaptable across many grade and ability levels, primarily grades 4 through 12. Each chapter begins with a chart (like the one shown at the left) to help situate the strategy in the classroom. The chart tells you what type of classroom--language arts, content area, EL, or AP--is the target audience for the lesson. You'll also find guidance as to which step of the writing process the lesson best fits. Finally, if a chapter includes an assessment component, the chapter-opening chart indicates what type of assessment is included. The San Joaquin Valley Writing Project is part of the National Writing Project (NWP), and there are NWP sites in every state. If you are interested in learning more about the NWP or joining your local site, contact the National Writing Project through its website atwww.writingproject.orgor call 510-642-0963. We would like to thank the reviewers of our manuscript for their comments and insights: James Beers, College of William and Mary; Patricia L. Daniel, University of South Florida; Judith M. Kelly, Howard University; and Mary Elizabeth Spalding, University of Nevada-Las Vegas.Tompkins, Gail E. is the author of '50 Ways to Develop Strategic Writers', published 2004 under ISBN 9780131197909 and ISBN 0131197908.