Best Practices in Writing Instruction

by Steve Graham (Editor), Charles A. MacArthur (Editor), Michael A. Hebert (Editor)

Well established as a definitive text--and now revised and updated with eight new chapters--this book translates cutting-edge research into effective guidelines for teaching writing in grades K–12. Illustrated with vivid classroom examples, the book identifies the components of a complete, high-quality writing program. Leading experts provide strategies for teaching narrative and argumentative writing; using digital tools; helping students improve specific skills, from handwriting and spelling to sentence construction; teaching evaluation and revision; connecting reading and writing instruction; teaching vulnerable populations; using assessment to inform instruction; and more.
 
New to This Edition
*Chapters on new topics: setting up the writing classroom and writing from informational source material.
*New chapters on existing topics: narrative writing, handwriting and spelling, planning, assessment, special-needs learners, and English learners.
*Increased attention to reading–writing connections and using digital tools. 
*Incorporates the latest research and instructional procedures.
 
See also Handbook of Writing Research, Second Edition, edited by Charles A. MacArthur, Steve Graham, and Jill Fitzgerald, which provides a comprehensive overview of writing research that informs good practice.

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

416 pages, Hardcover

First published February 23, 2007

About the author

Main focus is writing difficulties, included examining the effectiveness of technology (i.e., word processing, spell checkers), strategic instruction designed to help struggling writers be more planful and reflective, and the teaching of the basic mechanics of writing (handwriting, spelling, and sentence construction). Learning disabilities are also an interest.

Reviews

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is set up as a series of essays based on research for best writing practices.

My favorites were:
Ch. 7 Writing to learn (in content areas) by Perry D. Klein, Katrina N. Haug
-10 minutes of focused strategies daily is more effective than longer sessions
Ch. 11 Planning by Debra McKeown and Erin Fitzpatrick
-teach students planning strategies to organize their ideas POWER, TIDE
Ch. 13 Reading-Writing connections by Timothy Shanahan
-

[Dr CG · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great integration of common core standards to writing strategies. Would recommend!

[Turquoise Brennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book, well written even with all the different researchers. Strategies that are practical and explanations that make sense.

[Janelle Coady · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for our district's ELA curriculum research. Although it did not have much for new information pertaining to writing instruction, it did provide some good reminders and ideas for improving. I would have given it five stars, but then I would have had to put on my 5-star shelf, and I am trying to save that for more "fun" reads. I wouldn't consider this one to be all that enjoyable unless you are an English teacher or somebody wanting to implement more writing in your classroom (which should be all teachers).

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're a writing teacher, I think you'd find this interesting. Otherwise?? not so much. Chapters on different aspects of writing instruction talk about what research says and how to implement the practices supported by research. The writing is a little uneven, which is not uncommon in an edited book.

[Rachel Robins · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I liked:
It's one of the few teacher books that is focused on Common Core utilization
Heavily researched-based

What I wasn't loving:
So dense that it difficult (or boring) to navigate
Good ideas when I could find them

I don't recommend reading it straight-through but as a reference, it would be helpful.

[Kim Shank · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is great for educational leaders, coaches, specialists, interventionists, and ELA teachers. A lot of research and evidence to back up the strategies, but it’s a lengthy read and not super classroom teacher friendly. If you’re looking to reevaluate the writing instruction within your system, consider reading this.

[Zac Sigler · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are pearls of wisdom about writing instruction in here, but most of the book is fluffy, scholarly, filler. Also, the technology chapter read almost identically to one that I've read in another book, so not much was new, even though this book is two years newer than the other.

[Rebekah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't find much useful in here. It was very dry, and the strategies were only briefly spelled out. A lot of it felt common sense to me.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will be teaching foundations of literacy during the spring semester and this is one of the books. Any comments?

[Guisela · Rating 3 out of 5]

good

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for a grad class.

[Lexi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some hard to read stuff, would have liked more practical...here, go do this.

[Alicia Terrill · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another read for my grad classes. Frankly, not one of the best. I just didn't get much out of it. . . Plus, it was super boring. Oh well . . .