Reading and Writing Genre with Purpose in K-8 Classrooms

by Nell K. Duke, Samantha Caughlan, Mary M. Juzwik

" Reading and Writing Genre with Purpose in K-8 Classrooms adds a new dimension to genre studies that will engage students and re-invigorate teaching. The book sharpens our focus on student motivation, an essential yet often overlooked aspect of teaching. The authors offer an array of purposeful and creative ways to teach narrative, procedural, informational, dramatic, and persuasive texts, and bring us one step closer to the kinds of learner-centered instruction so necessary to succeed in a modern world." -Sharon Taberski , author of Comprehension from the Ground Up "Make room on your professional bookshelf for a much needed book! You'll learn how to explicitly teach genre features and coach students as you establish meaningful writing purposes that inspire students to read. Not only do the authors provide solid guidelines for teaching genre in writing and reading, but they also invite you into classrooms to see how teachers and students create environments that engage all learners. And for each genre, you'll find lists of books to teach reading and writing! "
-Laura Robb , author of Teaching Middle School Writers "You can explicitly teach students what they need to know to comprehend and produce genres well while engaging students in captivating communicative experiences-in fact, you can do it better!"
- Nell K. Duke, Samantha Caughlan, Mary M. Juzwik, and Nicole M. Martin Too many U.S. classrooms lack a colorful compelling context for reading and writing, resulting in flat, uninspired, formulaic writing by students. Reading and Writing Genre with Purpose in K-8 Classrooms is designed to help pre- and inservice teachers, literacy coaches, and reading specialists question status quo ways of working with language and texts, replace weaker practices with better ones, and change the way genre is taught. Drawing from theory and research that suggests students learn better and more deeply when learning is contextualized and genuinely motivated, the book presents five guiding principles for teaching genre. Emphasizing purposeful communication, it will guide you through teaching students to read, write, speak, and listen to different real-world genres that inspire and engage them. Nell K. Duke, Samantha Caughlan, Mary M. Juzwik, and Nicole M. Martin : This book is about teaching genre differently-with purpose. Reading and Writing Genre with Purpose in K-8 Classrooms will help you reinvigorate your teaching.

Genres: Education

228 pages, Paperback

First published November 9, 2011

Reviews

[Kris Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Nell Duke has pushed me so hard to keep learning and growing by reflecting on my practice.

[Kayla Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book.
A great staple for any ELA teachers. I studied this book for my Writing Instruction course and could see myself rereading this book many more times when I begin teaching.
This book is practical, simple, interesting, and provides amazing tips (and examples).
A necessary re-read.

[jennyreadit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for getting ideas on HOW to teach children to write. Good book for teachers that already trust themselves and their students enough to know if you strategically guide them to read and write with real world ideas, they will meet any state standard.Teachers are used to teaching the same units every year and are looking for ideas to move away from the traditional nonfiction unit or "what I did on my summer vacation" will glean ideas and purpose from this easy- to -read -in -a -weekend -book. Those teachers that are already facilitating comprehensive literacy may read this book and think... "Ok.. So what' s new about that?"
Use with implementing common core standards as a professional book study.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's one of the closest I've seen that applies genre theory to school settings--a tough thing to do. The authors have solid principles they carry throughout the book in a variety of genres.