Customer Reviews

Cracking Open the Author's Craft: Teaching the Art of Writing (Theory and Practice in Action)

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Wow! This is a fabulous resource for teachers. Comes with dvd of suggestions for teachers, resources to download (when dvd is used in computer), video of Lester reading Saturdays and Teacakes, video of Lester giving commentary about why he chose to use certain craft techniques and language. It really helps students see that the craft of writing is purposeful. My students tried many of his craft techniques as a result.

There has never been an instructional book better than this one! Lester really created a fabulous guide for teachers to help them to teach author's craft to their students. He actually teaches you how to use this book with your students. The DVD is awesome and explains things very well. I highly suggest purchasing his book Saturdays and Teacakes as well.

The Author's Craft was a great resource to use with our students that are taking the state writing test. It has many wonderful lessons that can easily be taught to students. It also includes a DVD so that kids can see the author and hear him read one of his books. Lester Laminack also talks to the students about different ways that he uses words/strategies in his writing. I would recommend it for every school! B. Clary, Principal

This book is the best book I have read since becoming a teacher for primary students six years ago. I wish all PD's could include something as effective as the material presented in this book and video!
I brought it home the first night and watched it all the way through. I finished reading it the next day!! I am excited about reviewing the material before school starts.
Lester did a great job reading the story he wrote, Saturday's and Teacakes and actually applying various crafts in his writing.
He is such an excellent source for teachers to learn from. I loved that he is so insightful, but at the same time, applies a lot of common sense when it comes to writing with students. We tend to forget this in the hustle and bustle of things! It was very refreshing and calming to sit and listen to him talk about writing for a while!!!

Ditto to everything said by previous reviewers. In addition, I would add that Lester's lessons for craft, based upon Saturdays and Teacakes, give lots of insight about why he (and other authors)might choose the same craft move. Also offered with each lesson are suggestions for books in which authors use the same craft element.

My first graders were enthralled by Lester's reading of Saturdays and Teacakes and I already promised them that I would bring in teacakes for our author celebration at the end of the month.

I would also recommend Lester's latest book, Three Hens and a Peacock for fun and for teaching.