Catch a Falling Writer

Learn more about Connie Hebert's PD offerings Dr. Connie R. Hebert is a nationally acclaimed teacher of teachers, published author, & motivational literacy speaker. She is dedicated to motivating, teaching, and inspiring educators about literacy, around the world. Experience in the field includes Reading Program Professor, Director of Reading, elementary school teacher in 7 school districts, Reading Recovery (TM) specialist, elementary music teacher, and national consultant. She is the author of Catch a Falling Reader, Catch a Falling Teacher, and her latest book, Catch a Falling Writer (Corwin Press). She is a senior national consultant for SDE (Staff Development for Educators) and served 3 years as a literacy consultant for Macmillan/McGraw-Hill's Treasures program. Dr. Hebert is currently a reading program professor for NSU. She has presented keynote addresses and seminars for teachers in 47 states and at numerous IRA national, state, and European reading conferences. For more information about Dr. Hebert's work, please visit: www.conniehebert.com.

Acknowledgments About the Author Introduction Part I. Engaging in Writing Catch a Falling Writer by...Generating Meaningful Discussions Catch a Falling Writer by...Scaffolding Ideas for Writing Catch a Falling Writer by...Using Wordless Picture Books Catch a Falling Writer by...Activating Prior Knowledge Catch a Falling Writer by...Modeling HOW to Write Catch a Falling Writer by...Creating a Vocabulary "Shopping Cart" Catch a Falling Writer by...Motivating With Puppets Catch a Falling Writer by...Encouraging Dramatic Expression Catch a Falling Writer by...Teaching the Purpose of a Web Catch a Falling Writer by...Introducing a Story Frame Catch a Falling Writer by...Maintaining a Motivating Writing Center Part II. The Mechanics of Writing Catch a Falling Writer by...Correcting the Pencil Grip Catch a Falling Writer by...Using a Variety of Tools Catch a Falling Writer by...Starting With Unlined Paper and Paper Plates Catch a Falling Writer by...Teaching Proper Penmanship Positions Catch a Falling Writer by...Attending to Directionality and Spacing Catch a Falling Writer by...Correcting Errors Catch a Falling Writer by...Articulating Words Aloud Catch a Falling Writer by...Tapping, Stomping, and Jumping Words Catch a Falling Writer by...Practicing Letter Formations and Sight Words Catch a Falling Writer by...Rebuilding Cut-Up Sentences Part III. Creating Independence Catch a Falling Writer by...Using Verbal Prompts for Self-Editing Catch a Falling Writer by...Offering a Pinch of Praise Catch a Falling Writer by...Recording Oral Responses on Sticky Notes Catch a Falling Writer by...Offering a Variety of Focus Sheets Catch a Falling Writer by...Dealing With Procrastination Catch a Falling Writer by...Using a Variety of "Good" Questions Catch a Falling Writer by...Adding Art, Music, & Drama Catch a Falling Writer by...Connecting Writing With Reading Catch a Falling Writer by...Guiding Writers in Small-Group Instruction Appendix: Focus Sheets Recommended Web Sites, Research, and Texts

"Teachers encounter struggling writers every day. Here's a great guide with practical advice and lots of wisdom-covering everything from pencil grip to the power of praise-that will lift up struggling writers and their teachers." -- Richard Gentry, Researcher, Author, Educational Consultant "The book pinpoints characteristic behaviors of falling writers and pairs them up with simple-to-use techniques that you can incorporate into your classroom or that parents can use at home with their children to bolster confidence and success." -- Karla Bronzynski, First-Grade Teacher, Eldora-New Providence Schools, IA "This text is a wonderful reference for teaching writing, with many useful activities." -- Pamela Maslin Sullivan, Assistant Professor