Understanding Writing: Ways of Observing, Learning, and Teaching

by Thomas Newkirk

Writing teachers must be observers. At the heart of writing-process instruction is the art of informed observation.The Skilled teacher needs to determine what students can do, what changes they've made, what patterns of assistance they receive from other students, what themes dominate their writing. And teachers need to observe themselves-to reflect on what they see and do. Understanding Writing is a book about observing. It contains no recipes for success. What it does contain are thirty chapters, most written by classroom teachers, that provide insights into student growth. The book is rich in examples of student work, from Kevin's self-portrait (complete with a point on his head) to Laura's eloquent poem, written after the shuttle explosion.

Genres: Education

312 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Thomas Newkirk is a teacher and author who worked for 39 years at the University of New Hampshire.