Acts of Teaching: How to Teach Writing: A Text, A Reader, A Narrative (Paperback)

~ (Author), Edward E. Wilson (Author)
Key Phrases: paragraph blocs, hexagonal writing, writing and spelling development, Writing Connection, Instructional Goal, Teacher Conferences (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

“This updated text focuses on educating teachers with unique ways to engage students in the activity of learning to write....Chapters on how to shape student writing, assess writing, edit paragraphs, publish, and write collaboratively give teachers a broad spectrum of writing knowledge. The book's second half elaborates on the growth and development of the brain as it pertains to learning in adolescents, cognitive theories of learning, and connecting with the writer through reading and research....The samples of student writing and examples of teacher moderated exercises will be a welcome assistance to first time teachers whether it is elementary or middle school.”–VOYA

“Now in an extensively updated and significantly expanded second edition Acts of Teaching: How To Teach Writing....is a 501-page compendium of instruction on all aspects of the art and craft of teaching aspiring authors how to write effectively regardless of the genre or discipline they are writing in or for....Acts of Teaching is not only very highly recommended as an educational curriculum guide and supplement for the teaching of writing in a college or university level course, it is also invaluable reading for any aspiring writer seeking to become as effective as they can be within the demands of any scientific discipline, literary genre, or commercial enterprise they might find themselves working in.”–Wisconsin Bookwatch

“This gem of a book not only identifies qualities of good writing, it also shows writers how to produce quality. Carroll and Wilson 'get it.' To write well is difficult. Yet hard work can yield joyful results.”–Cris Tovani, author of I Read It But Don't Get It and Do I Really Have to Teach Reading?

“When it comes to teaching writing, Carroll and Wilson have written the 'go-to' book. The new and updated Acts of Teaching is a cause for celebration. Keep it handy--you'll find it inexhaustibly practical and effective. And no wonder: this book is the creation of two great theorists whose lifework has been shoulder-to-shoulder with classroom teachers.”–Will Hobbs, author of Bearstone, Jason's Gold, and Crossing the Wire.

“Joyce Armstrong Carroll and Edward E. Wilson's book is full of the insight, scholarship and practical advice they have gleaned in their many years in the field, teaching writing and teaching the teaching of writing, delivered with warmth and humor and understanding.”–Katherine Mosby, award-winning novelist and instructor at New York University.

“The 2002 'No Child Left Behind' Act has forced educators to reflect on what is working in classrooms around the nation, and what will best help students to face the challenges of the twenty-first century. Joyce Carroll, Ed.D,, H.L.D. and Edward Wilson in their book, Acts of Teaching, Second Edition, provide invaluable insight into what classrooms in the 21st century should look like in terms of writing and reading. Acts of Teaching II equips teachers to teach writing in a way that students get excited about writing, and for visionary teachers and administrators, that is truly leaving no child behind.”–Fernando Castillo, principal of Donna High School in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas.

“Acts of Teaching offers teachers of writing and those who support them a comprehensive resource that includes expansive research and solid pedagogy. In its first edition, it served as an indispensable guide to educators. In its second edition, it becomes an essential text. Teachers and supervisors will make it a constant companion in their work. It is the right book at the right time--a time when educators recognize quality writing instruction as a key to not only improved student performance but also enlightened thinking.”–Judy Wallis, Ed.D., Language Arts Director, Department of School Improvement & Support, Spring Branch ISD, Texas. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Book Description

Comprehensive, innovative, and practical, this text offers educators a powerful approach to teaching writing by focusing on engaging students in grappling with words and experiences to make meaning.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 568 pages
• Publisher: Teacher Ideas Press (May 15, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563080397
• ISBN-13: 978-1563080395
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 6.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #959,603 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Addresses all aspects of successful teaching pragmatically, September 12, 1999

By A Customer

Authors Carroll and Wilson focus on students AND teachers as writers. This text is critical to those who teach writing. It includes specific activities and strategies <research-based> for prewriting,conferencing,revision,publishing. Included are many helpful journal articles. It is the most successful tool I've used in over 20 years of teaching students of all grade and ability levels. It is a MUST HAVE. In an empty classroom beseiged by flames, this is THE text I'd grab !

5.0 out of 5 stars Invaluable reading for any aspiring writer, March 2, 2008

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Acts of Teaching (Paperback)

The art of writing is a learned skill honed through practice. Now in an extensively updated and significantly expanded second edition, "ACTS Of Teaching: How To Teach Writing" by academicians Joyce Armstrong Carroll and Edward E. Wilson (both of whom are Co-Directors of Abydos Learning International) is a 501-page compendium of instruction on all aspects of the art and craft of teaching aspiring authors how to write effectively regardless of the genre or discipline they are writing in or for. After an informed and informative introduction, "ACTS Of Teaching: How To Teach Writing" is dived into two primary sections dealing with 'Process' and 'The Theory and Pedagogy'. An overview of writing as a process beings with 'Prewriting: More Than the Beginning', continues on with 'Writing and Organizing', 'Writing as a Social Act', 'Grammar and Correcting', 'Grammar through Revision', Grammar through Reformulation', 'Postwriting and Publishing', and 'Assessment'. "ACTS Of Teaching: How To Teach Writing" continues with a major and detailed chapter on the way the brain works in the writing process, before going on to address such issues as 'Learning How to Learn', 'Early Literacy', 'Research', and 'Writing as a Mode of Learning. Enhanced with an extensive and extended bibliography, "ACTS Of Teaching: How To Teach Writing" also features nine highly relevant appendices (note especially the first one offering a List of Genres), and a comprehensive index. "ACTS Of Teaching: How To Teach Writing" is note only very highly recommended as an educational curriculum guide and supplement for the teaching of writing in a college or university level course, it is also invaluable reading for any aspiring writer seeking to become as effective as they can be within the demands of any scientific discipline, literary genre, or commercial enterprise they might find themselves working in.

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have for the teacher of English, August 12, 2002

By	Alexander Pahany "About to be a poor lawyer" (South Lyon, MI) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have had the opportunity to meet each author in their New Jersey Writing Project in Texas Institute, and I must say this book is an absolute in the instruction of writing. Instead of forcing unreal formulaic writing upon our students, Carroll and Wilson are staunch advocates of voice in writing. If you are looking for a formula or gimmick to teach your students writing, this is NOT the book for you. Instead, Carroll and Wilson use tried and true techniques focusing on the reading-writing connection, pre-writing, and revision that work for students of all grade levels. As a new teacher, this book in conjunction with their Institute has been the most useful tool I have encountered.