Developing Reading-Writing Connections: Strategies from the Reading Teacher

Editors: Timothy V. Rasinski Nancy D. Padak Brenda Weible Church Gay Fawcett Judith Hendershot Justina M. Henry Barbara G. Moss Jacqueline K. Peck Elizabeth (Betsy) Pryor Kathleen A. Roskos

Discover teacher-tested ideas, resources, and activities to instill in your students a lifetime love of literature. Adapt these examples of literature-based instruction to your own curriculum, and ignite the spark that will turn on your students to reading. The book’s 43 articles cover a range of topics, including nonfiction trade books, creating a database of children’s literature, poetry, multiculturalism, thematic units, picture books, readers’ workshops, teacher/children collaboration, fairy tales, writing to music, publishing student works, and student portfolios. You’ll also find IRA’s position statement, "Providing Books and Other Print Materials for Classroom and School Libraries," and information on IRA’s "Choices" booklists.

©2000 | 200 pp | ISBN: 0-87207-280-0 | 280-553 | Elementary

The role of authentic and appropriate literature for children is being recognized as increasingly important in children's literacy development. Using literature in the classroom yields rich rewards. Listening to literature read aloud allows children to internalize the language of books and begin to use it in their own oral and written language. As children develop an increased sense of story by reading and talking about books, they reveal that understanding in their own writing. They demonstrate knowledge of how authors combine literary elements such as characters, setting, and plot to create vivid stories.

Developing Reading-Writing Connections: Strategies From The Reading Teacher, one of four books in the Teaching Reading Collection, presents the "best of the best" classroom-tested ideas, approaches, and practical applications for helping teachers make literature and writing integral and effective parts of any reading program. The articles have been drawn from the Teaching Reading department of The Reading Teacher from 1993-1999; this section of the journal is devoted to practical reading instruction strategies for classrooms, reading clinics, and homes. The articles have been compiled by Timothy Rasinski and Nancy Padak, editors of The Reading Teacher from 1993-1999, and their team of associate editors.

The ideas, resources, and activities offered in Developing Reading-Writing Connections provide strategies that are engaging and effective for all students in developing the reading-writing connection. This book will challenge classroom teachers to put together the instructional ideas you find most appropriate into a reading-writing routine that will work for you and your students and meet the objectives of your curriculum.