Teach Writing Well: How to Assess Writing, Invigorate Instruction, and Rethink Revision

by Ruth Culham

Ask great writers what the key to writing well is and they will tell you revision. Author Ruth Culham, both a successful writer and writing teacher, understands the challenges elementary teachers face when teaching writing and revision and now shares her knowledge in Teach Writing How to Assess Writing, Invigorate Instruction, and Rethink Revision . Divided into two parts, Culham’s book provides ways to teach that are both accessible to the teacher and student. You will find techniques to assess writing that are practical, and results driven. Inside you’ll Teach Writing Well pulls best practices together and shows writing with fresh eyes.

Genres: Professional Development

248 pages, Paperback

Published May 9, 2018

About the author

Ruth Culham, aka The Trait Lady, is the president of The Culham Writing Company and former Unit Manager of the Assessment Program at Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory (recently renamed Education Northwest) in Portland, Oregon.

She is the recognized expert in the traits of writing assessment field and author of numerous professional resources published by Scholastic, including 6+1 Traits of Writing: The Complete Guide, Grades 3 and Up; 6+1 Traits of Writing for the Primary Grades; Traits of Writing: The Complete Guide for Middle School, and Using Picture Books to Teach Writing with the Traits.

As a pioneering researcher in this field, she creates and conducts teacher workshops and videos, designs national and international institutes for writing assessment and instruction, and provides professional development to teachers at local and district levels.

Ruth was named Teacher of the Year in Montana, the highlight of her 19-year teaching career. Ruth holds specialty degrees in Library Science and Elementary, Middle, and Secondary English Education. She has a Masters degree in Teaching English and an Ed.D. in Educational Administration.

from http://ruthculham.wordpress.com/about/

Reviews

[Linzi Meldrum · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a pre-service teacher, this book has given me a lot to think about when I finally have the chance to implement writing in my own classroom. It contains a lot of good information, and I am very excited to try it out!

[Addie Healy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruth Culham has completely changed the way I understand best practices for teaching writing. I was introduced to her 6+1 traits rubrics in one of my MAT program classes and it completely ignited the spark that would become my obsession with teaching writing. If you are haunted by students not wanting to revise their work or who tell you they hate writing, then look no further for a better way of teaching writing that inspires your students and gives them the language and tools to become successful writers.

Her Writing Thief book is a great intro, but this book helped me understand how to actually implement traits writing in my classroom more fully. I had used her rubrics, the traits language, and mentor texts, but hadn’t figured out how to best organize my instructional block. After reading this book, I have more confidence in how to structure my writing class each day and throughout the span of a year. This book is a must if you’re hoping to put traits writing into practice in your classroom!

[Wendie Barney Boucher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy reading books by Ruth Culham as I always find things to use in my own classroom. Sometimes I find myself thinking I need to scrap everything I am doing and start over, not because she makes me feel that I am doing things wrong but because I want to make sure I am doing what is best for my students. She offers a much more in-depth way to use the traits not only for the teacher but also for the students in this book which I think is so beneficial. We want the our students to use and understand the traits but we don't always show them the best way to do this. This book allows the reader to see different ways of working with the traits. However the most important part of the book is helping us see how to help students edit and revise without feeling overwhelmed.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a lot to admire about this book. Primarily designed for practicing teachers, Culham shares strong definitions and examples of the writing traits, how to implement strong teaching of the writing traits in various modes and genres, and the power of giving students autonomy to make writerly decisions. I especially appreciated her approach to writing: an inch wide and a mile deep. I thought she explained it well.

I also think writing teachers of all ages can find value from the handouts and references to mentor texts Culham provides.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very practical, helpful information regarding the teaching of writing. This book lays out a plan to help every child (everyone, actually) learn to write well. The appendices have online links, and the list of mentor texts for each of the traits and qualities of writing is thorough and very up-to-date. This is a good addition to any writing teacher's professional collection.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book had excellent strategies for teaching writing in an engaging and manageable format.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good resource for new writing teachers.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this book is primary based, this information can be used and transfer to a high school classroom.

The appendices are great and useful for student planning, revision and reflection.

[Kerron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super practical and helpful guide on teaching writing more effectively using the traits.

[Reagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really changed how I thought about writing and teaching writing.