Full Description
"While we have all heard of 'writing across the curriculum areas,' Walling gives us an understanding of what this really means and provides examples that any teacher can modify to expand lessons to a more meaningful level, thus enhancing both writing and critical thinking skills in students."
—Mark S. Strauss, Principal
Virginia Schuman Young Montessori Magnet Elementary School, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
"Walling demonstrates through student writing samples and classroom dialogues how all content teachers can use various writing modes to enrich students' content knowledge to the level of innovation and greater clarity."
—Carol Conway-Gerhardt, President
Catholic Schools Education Alliance of the Bay Area, Inc.
Develop effective writing assignments to boost student achievement in the content areas!
You don't have to be a writing instructor or English teacher to use writing in the classroom. Writing for Understanding focuses on using writing as an essential instructional tool to deepen and expand student understanding in the content areas. Written specifically for non-language arts teachers, this book debunks myths about using writing in the classroom and offers practical approaches for the upper elementary grades through high school.
Writing activates higher-level thinking skills and engages students in concepts and content. Through sample writing prompts and classroom dialogues, Donovan R. Walling shows you how to create writing lessons that:
Guide students in using narrative, descriptive, expository, persuasive, and argumentative writing
Are adaptable to various subjects and disciplines
Require students to process content using critical thinking skills
This valuable resource helps teachers in any subject incorporate writing as a tool of effective instruction.
Contents
Introduction: How Can I Teach Writing If I'm Not a Writing Teacher?
1. How Writing Increases Understanding
Debunking Myths and Misconceptions
Alternatives to Bloom
Five Research-Based "Truths" About Writing
Developing Effective Writing Questions and Prompts
Daily Writing
Some Thoughts on Taking Notes
2. Developing Narrative Writing Assignments
What Is Narrative Writing?
Types of Narrative Writing
Using Narrative Writing
Class Dialogue
Using Narrative Writing to Build Content Vocabulary
Sample Narrataive Writing Questions and Prompts
3. Developing Descriptive Writing Assignments
What Is Descriptive Writing?
Using Descriptive Writing
Sensory Details
Describing Processes
Class Dialogue
Translating Mathematics
Giving Directions
Sample Descriptive Writing Questions and Prompts
4. Developing Expository Writing Assignments
What Is Expository Writing?
Using Expository Writing
Class Dialogue
Writing Prompts That Require Cause-and-Effect Reasoning
Sample Expository Writing Questions and Prompts
5. Developing Persuasive Writing Assignments
What Is Persuasive Writing?
Using Persuasive Writing
Class Dialogue
Persuasion and the Basics of Logic
Sample Persuasive Writing Questions and Prompts
6. Developing Argumentative Writing Assignments
What Is Argumentative Writing?
Using Argumentative Writing
Class Dialogue
Follow-Up Sharing and Discussion
Sample Argumentative Writing Questions and Prompts
7. Using Dialogues About Writing to Build Meaning
A Basis in Socratic Questioning
Developing and Using Class Dialogues
Developing and Using Student Dialogues
Making and Using Rubrics
8. Internet-Writing Connections and Resources
Using E-Speak to Encourage Writing
Online Resources Can Help Students and Teachers
Websites for Students
Websites for Teachers
9. Frequently Asked Questions About Writing
Language Alive
Usage
Punctuation
10. Print Resources
Books
Documents
References
Index
