Full Description
Help every student become an engaged, enthusiastic, and confident writer
Too many students struggle to see themselves as writers, often viewing writing as a chore rather than a powerful form of self-expression. Research has shown an important connection between students' self-image as writers and their growth as writers. Tapping the Writer Within offers educators a deeply practical approach to nurturing what author Ralph Fletcher calls "wri-dentity"—helping every student develop a genuine sense of themselves as a writer.
This thoughtful guide provides flexible practices and creative strategies that recognize students' unique passions, interests, and ideas while fostering authentic writing experiences that bring joy and play back into the classroom. Drawing from his professional experiences as an author and in classrooms across the country, Fletcher shows how to create writing communities where students thrive. The book features:
Practical classroom strategies for establishing routines, building community, and conferring one-on-one with students
Flexible practices for using mentor texts, connecting students to real audiences, and giving "never-writers" a fresh start
Interviews with writing experts to ground the book in research and best practice
Inspiring stories and examples from teachers successfully implementing wri-dentity in their own classrooms
Whether you're a seasoned writing teacher or just beginning your journey, this book will transform how you think about writing instruction and empower you to help every student discover the writer within.
Contents
Foreword
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Introduction
Chapter 1. Wri-Dentity: What It Is and Why It Matters
On Writing Identity
Why Wri-dentity Matters
Building Wri-dentity in the Classroom
Chapter 2. Establish Regular Routines
Time
Establishing Space and Structure in the Writing Classroom
Chapter 3. Create a Writing Community
The Power of the Group
Healing a Rift in the Classroom Community
Fostering Helpful Peer Response to Student Writing
The Place for Rituals
Chapter 4. Build a Common Language
Language About Writing Invented by Students
Envisioning Language
Chapter 5. Nurture Our Own Wri-dentity
Claiming Our Own Wri-dentity
Sharing Our Wri-dentity in the Classroom
Chapter 6. Promote Pleasure
Pleasures Large and Small
Chapter 7. Give Voice to Choice
Challenges to Choice in Today's Classroom
Chapter 8. Confer With Students One-to-One
Chapter 9. Use Mentor Texts to Build Vision
Chapter 10. Turn Up the Volume
On Writing Practice
Quantity Matters
Chapter 11. Connect Them to an Audience
Chapter 12. Give "Never-Writers" a Fresh Start
Meet the Never-Writer
Chapter 13. Let Them Mess Around and Play
Greenbelt Writing
Chapter 14. Invite Reflection
When and How to Invite Reflection
Encourage Reflection That's Honest
Chapter 15. Lingering Thoughts About Building Wri-dentity
References
Index
