Teaching the Youngest Writers: A Practical Guide [Paperback]

Marcia S. Freeman (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0929895266 | ISBN-13: 978-0929895260 | Publication Date: May 1, 1998

Teaching the Youngest Writers helps kindergarten and first-grade teachers understand the stages of emergent writing and the models children need to progress; how to model writing; how to set up a classroom for Writer's Workshop; how to schedule and organize daily writing workshop; how to conduct an Author's Chair; how to model efficient peer conferences that really work; and explains narrative and expository techniques to teach young writers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"... a well-written, valuable teaching resource, rich with classroom- tested models and writing techniques that emergent writers need." -- Brenda Parkes, Ph.D., author and international literacy consultant

About the Author

Marcia S. Freeman is a children's author and noted writing-education consultant specializing in the practical aspects of writing instruction and creating classroom writing communities. She is the author of the internationally acclaimed Building a Writing Community: A Practical Guide, and Listen to This: Developing an Ear for Expository. Her children's books include Catfish and Spaghetti )fiction for children in grades 305), Push and Pull; Wetland; Polar Bears; Pine Trees; Fireboats; and other photo-illustrated, non-fiction books for emergent readers. Her column, The Youngest Writers, appears regularly in The Florida Primary Educator Magazine.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 143 pages
• Publisher: Maupin House Publishing (May 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0929895266
• ISBN-13: 978-0929895260
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #46,287 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the book you've been waiting for!, June 22, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Teaching the Youngest Writers: A Practical Guide (Paperback)

Two years ago I attended the International Reading Association Conference in Orlando, Florida. While browsing the exhibits, I expressed my dismay at the lack of "how-to" books for teaching kindergarteners how to write--REALLY write. It turns out that I was talking to Marcia Freeman, and she recommended her book to me! It was not yet available, but I bought it as soon as it was published. It is THE BEST resource I've found on how to create an environment so that kindergartners will write. The book is very easy to read, and the author guides you the process of creating a classroom of young writers. She offers manageable and practical suggestions (you can tell she knows what she's talking because she has experienced it!). She takes the steps of the writing process (prewriting, writing, editing, etc.) and shows what they "look like" in a primary classroom. She also stresses how IMPORTANT it is to MODEL all aspects of the process. I've shared the ideas in this book with my colleagues, and they love them. If you teach kindergarten, first, or second grade, you need this book!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is an important tool for teachers., August 7, 2000

By 

Melissa Forney (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Teaching the Youngest Writers: A Practical Guide (Paperback)

As an educational writing consultant I recommend this book to all my K - 1 teachers. It's fabulous. Marcia Freeman is an educator who REALLY knows how to get emergent writers started.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Invaluable Resource for Primary Grade Teachers, April 20, 2004

By 

"melpend" (Gainesville, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Teaching the Youngest Writers: A Practical Guide (Paperback)

In Teaching the Youngest Writers, Marcia Freeman outlines a comprehensive writing curriculum for educators in the primary grades. She provides step-by-step lesson ideas for teaching writing skills, the writing process, and introducing your students to the various genres of writing.
Ms. Freeman provides plenty of practical ideas and as well as creative suggestions from other teachers across the nation. She includes what to teach on the first day of school, what to expect from your students at different times of the year, how to link her program to your state standards, and even how to effectively manage your classroom environment. She explains the seven different stages of emergent writing and provides teaching strategies for students at each stage. She even includes additional ideas for teaching ESOL students.
This in-depth resource provides everything you need to implement a writing curriculum. Yet, teachers can individualize the program by incorporating their own models and ideas. Plenty of examples following each lesson, codes, and page and chapter references make this book user-friendly and easy to navigate.
I recommend this for any teacher who struggles with teaching writing, or is just looking for new ideas for their writing curriculum. To get the most out of it, read it thoroughly and familiarize yourself with the lessons and techniques. It will take some time to prepare and organize, but in the end, it will be well worth it!