Write to Be Read was written to inspire educators to be designers of engaging curriculum, specifically targeting ways to improve the teaching of writing in schools today. Students tend to write in response to literature; whereas, the focus of this resource is to help students write material, fiction and non-fiction, that they want to read. Students often engage in writing that is more about pleasing the teacher or ticking a homework or assignment box. This book challenges many assumptions with reference to traditional models for teaching writing. A rich assortment of engaging examples are presented in this book to prompt educators to adapt and construct their own meaningful writing units of study
Barbara J. Smith, PhD. is a passionate educator who promotes critical and creative thinking in the design of schools and school curriculum. Hope Blecher, EdD. is a literacy expert who encourages and inspires educators and schools to engage students in deep learning in and outside the traditional school classroom. Together, this duo amass over 80 years of experiences in all kinds of schools and college level programming.
Table of Contents Introduction...A work in progress SECTION A: Making Connections Chapter 1: Thinking Through Writing Chapter 2: Doing the Write Thing Chapter 3: Writing with Others Chapter 4: Disciplinary and Interdisciplinary Writing SECTION B: New Approaches for Teaching Writing Chapter 5: Poetry as a Gateway to Prose Chapter 6: Prompts for Prose Writing Chapter 7: Planning to Write Chapter 8: Producing the First Draft Chapter 9: Polishing the Writing Chapter 10: Presenting the Writing Chapter 11: Purpose-Based (PB) Writing Model SECTION C: Writing for a Purpose, One Grade at A Time Chapter 12: Writing in a Primary Setting Chapter 13: Grade 3 to 5 Writing Chapter 14: Middle School Writing in an Elementary School Setting Chapter 15: Middle School Writing in a High School Setting Chapter 16: Senior High School Writing SECTION D: Deep Dive into Writing Forces Chapter 17: Differentiating Writing Chapter 18: Feedback & Assessment Chapter 19: Hand Held Devices Chapter 20: Parent Role in Student Writing Chapter 21: Challenges to Changing Writing Instruction Conclusion:From Students to Writers
"Hope Blecher and Barbara Smith have over 80 years of experiences as teachers, teacher leaders, academic leaders and authors ... and it shows. At a time when the "buzz" is about the advent of AI writing bots as a challenge to education, here is a book brimming with practical strategies that can be used in the classroom on a daily basis. What shines through here is a discernible passion and love for the craft of writing, a celebration of the development of authentic voice in learners, and a clear admiration for those charged with teaching these learners each day." -- Mike Crowley, Assistant Director, Middle School Head, The International School of Brussels., PhD "The Professional Conversation Starters are GOLD! You do much of the organization work for your readers so we can focus on the message. I wish more authors would do this! You have certainly given teachers what they are looking for: well-developed and ready-to-use tools backed up with pedagogical proof of their value." -- Lisa Parry, M.Ed, K-12 Principal, AP Language and Composition Teacher, Arlington, South Dakota "The text provides educators of all ages and grades with immediate usable ways to enhance success in writing across all genres. The text aptly applies theory into practice.The text is a game-changer in how to address writing for all levels of students. It is a handbook, a guidebook, and a strong resource to be used for a long time. The text will be one of those books used in the classroom that will be dog-eared and marked up for years to come." -- Diana Sefchik, retired Director of ESL and World Languages, North Plainfield School District, New Jersey, U.S. "This rich resource is framed on the belief that all writing needs to be read, if only by the writer. The authors provide a clear and thorough outline of strategies to motivate, engage and enrich students of all ages who write for different purposes in a variety of forms.This wonderful resource provides both beginning and experienced teachers with a collection of writing lessons to plan and develop programs where all students feel successful as they put pen or pencil to paper, finger to keyboard." -- Larry Swartz, Literacy Instructor, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE/UofT).
