Read Write Teach: Choice and Challenge in the Reading-Writing Workshop

by Linda Rief

Veteran teacher and author Linda Rief has inspired thousands of practitioners across the nation to lead adolescent students on a journey to becoming lifelong readers and writers. In ReadWriteTeach , Linda offers the what, how, and why of a year's worth of reading and writing for middle and high school students with a framework that is as flexible as it is comprehensive. "...This book isn't a compilation of tear-out reproducibles designed to help us replicate Linda's practices," writes Maja Wilson in the foreword. "Instead, it's the most powerful gift that a master teacher can give the story of her thinking and feeling as she teaches." Linda's insights and beliefs are woven throughout a comprehensive overview of best literacy practices, which Students' voices, through examples of their writing, drawing, and thinking, resonate throughout the book and characterize the thoughtful readers, writers, and citizens of the world that they become under Linda's guidance. Online companion resources include all of the handouts that Linda uses in her own classroom.

Download a free chapter!

Genres: Professional Development, Teaching, Education, Nonfiction, Writing

296 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2014

Reviews

[Mr. Holt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having just finished "Read Write Teach" I am inspired. Sure, I already utilize the workshop method of literacy instruction in the classroom and so I understand and agree with a lot of what Linda Rief was proposing and discussing. However, she brought up some new techniques regarding the implementation of choice and digging deep into a subject or topic. I now have a list of some things I want to try in my classroom come September. I do wish the book was better organized and less chaotic. Although it was divided into chapters, the chapters included a smorgasbord of subtopics in complete disarray. Had she broken the book into sections for reading and writing and then included her protocol for both in an an easy-to-understand format, it would have been much easier to digest. Instead, her teaching vignettes and student work samples are thrown into each chapter. An appendix at the end of the book would have been a better place for these tangents. I do think she could have included more specific examples of what to do when utilizing a workshop approach to reading and writing in the classroom had she been more cognizant of the overall organization of the book. Now, this doesn't mean that I didn't really like the book and learn a lot from Linda Rief because I did. I just think it would be a more valuable resource for new teachers if the organization was a little more streamlined. I do recommend this resource to literacy teachers, already using the workshop model, in any grade; although, the focus of the book is middle school and high school. This would not be a resource I would suggest for those teachers looking to move towards a workshop approach to reading and writing as it doesn't include a lot of specifics for setting up a workshop.

[Sarah Zerwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must-read for any secondary teacher who is trying to teach via a reading-writing workshop. I love Rief's candor about what works and doesn't work in her classroom. She's honest about the hard parts of teaching reading and writing. So many wonderful ideas in this book, easily applicable to high school even though she writes from the context of teaching 8th grade.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

It just doesn't get much better than learning along with a master teacher like Linda Rief. Working in middle and high school this last year, I found this book to be invaluable. I use the ideas in elementary as well. GREAT resource for all reading/writing teachers

[Sarah Krajewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful, practical book for any teacher of reading and writing. I'll be referring back to this one often!

[Marion Sheaffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super helpful because it's very explicit and practical. It simply makes sense.

[Kate Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Geared toward middle school, however, can be easily adapted for 9-10. The online resources are excellent.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worthwhile read for teachers of adolescent writers.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good educational book about how to weave reading and writing instruction into your classroom. I'll definitely read this more than once.

[Caroline-The Book Reader]

Felt like this book was utterly useless because it told me very self-explanatory things. Wish it was written in less of a first-person view. More of an unbiased view.

[Diana Pettis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this text. As I was reading it, I was trying to figure out how to take some of the concepts and tweak them for younger students. Linda Rief, teaches 8th grade language arts and most of the book discusses what she has done with her students over 30+ years of teaching. I also recently had the opportunity to meet her at the teacher tour in Portsmouth, NH. She presented a workshop on using quickwrites with students. This was one concept I could see using with younger students. In the book she has several examples of things you can do with quickwrites in terms of the Writing Workshop. Lots of information. I could probably read it several times and get something new each time. The important thing that Linda states is to take the information she presents and make it your own. I would encourage readers of this text to do that.

[Jessica Loomis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Linda Rief, for your honesty, integrity, passion, creativity, and heart. Your book inspired me and gave me many practical ideas as I start using the Reading & Writing Workshop model at my school. Rief does a fabulous job of sharing her teaching and her students' writing in this book (which make great examples to share with students. The personal narrative "Diagnosis" is an excellent mentor text). I haven't checked out the website, but there are tons of website resources that accompany this book. I really value her work and the heart and soul that she puts into her teaching. She truly inspires. If you're feeling that you're in the doldrums, read her Afterword in the book for a lovely reminder of why we teach.

[Michele Knott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written account of readers and writers workshop ideas and procedures. Grounded in research and the author's beliefs, this book gives many practical ideas for the readers/writers workshop. The ideas come from an upper middle school classroom, but almost all can be adapted for any age. The book has a link to the Heinemann website to download resources and see a variety of classroom examples.

[T · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Linda Rief's clear, specific style of writing as well as her practical ideas for a middle school Reading/Writing Workshop. She helped me rethink how to teach a middle school workshop, staying true to my goals and philosophy, but also managing limited time to teach reading, writing, responding to literature, read aloud, and a real life-long love of literature. Thank you, thank you!

[Hannah Marie. · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites; Rief definitely has a lot of wisdom and experience with many ages. I enjoyed the personal issues expressed and the student examples for each of the teaching points she covered. This is perfect for not only specific lessons, but for building general teaching knowledge towards the level of expert teacher!

[Jennifer Brinkmeyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is essentially summarizing what Rief does in her classroom. I did pick up a couple of ideas, but I've been teaching long enough not to need someone else's blueprint. If I were newer, I would feel differently.

[Lilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really fantastic. There is so much I can use in my own teaching. Linda's work affirms my own thoughts about teaching practices and this book really makes me look forward to the beginning of school. Until then, I'd better keep up with my own reader's notebook!

[Catherine Greenfeder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as part of a book study group for teachers. I found it engaging and helpful and wish that I had discovered it earlier in my career. It's well-written, filled with strategies and models for use in the classroom, and I plan to incorporate a number of ideas in the new school year.

[C. Rey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Linda Rief is an inspiration! This book was delightful to read and the margins are full of ideas I have to apply these ideas to my own classroom. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to employ a workshop style program.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though somewhat repetitive and similar to Atwell/Kittle, there is honest writing from teacher and student. There are nice online resources and lots of practical projects. Linda Rief's passion and commitment to her students comes through clearly.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great resource for every middle school and high school English teacher. Once I organize my thoughts I will share some of my favorite ideas.

[Karrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the practicality of this book the ideas seem applicable to any classroom and I'm excited to try some new ideas next year based on her work.

[Rita Shaffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many great ideas! I think I may write a blog post about the thinking this book ignited, too!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

So thoughtful and genuine. I was amazed by the ideas and how it made me reflect on myself & my students.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Linda Rief's update to Seeking Diversity--and as much of a gem as that early and essential work.

[Terre Musselman · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much, it's overwhelming, but I have at least twenty sticky notes marking the must-try passages.

[Joellen Mccarthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ts like conductors have the ability to make others powerful. Awaken the possibility in others. @LindaMRief's Read Write Teach is about voices and choices for all learners.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must have for any ELA teacher!

[Sherri Sieffert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good resource for ELA teachers in the middle years. Lots of practical ideas to set up reading and writing workshop.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book. It's practical and helpful. I am using all these principles in my teaching.