McCarrier, Andrea : The Ohio State University Main Campus
Pinnell, Gay Su : The Ohio State University Main Campus
Fountas, Irene C. : Lesley College
Summary
Children want to make their mark--on paper, on any surface, in life. But the difficulties of transferring words
to paper can be daunting enough to drown out even the most enthusiastic voice. Enter interactive writing, a new
instructional approach in which teachers and children collaborate to produce a written text. Just as Fountas and
Pinnell did in their best-selling Guided Reading, the authors offer powerful first teaching designed to accelerate
and support children's critical understanding of the writing process.
Interactive Writing is specifically focused on the early phases of writing, and has special relevance to prekindergarten,
kindergarten, grade 1 and 2 teachers. In a clear, step-by-step format, the authors show how teachers can use interactive
writing to teach a range of foundational literacy skills by sharing the pen with young writers:
letter learning
phonological and orthographic awareness
learning the nature of words
building a writing vocabulary
learning concepts about print
organizing and composing narrative and expository text.
Important features include a rich array of examples of children's writing, down-to-earth practical advice, suggestions
for using children's literature and art in the writing program, numerous photos of children's work, and suggestions
for professional development. Additionally, there are thorough descriptions of how interactive writing can be used
as a tool for inquiry across the curriculum--in content areas as well as in literature. With this kind of broad
application, children can grow to see writing as a lifelong tool for learning--and see themselves as writers, right
from the start.
The book is filled with practical information on how to get started with interactive writing, with explicit
details from specific materials to fine teaching points.
Table of Contents
I. Learning to Write in a Quality Early Literacy Program
1. What Is Interactive Writing?
2. Interactive Writing Within Language and Literacy Learning
3. Organizing Space and Materials to Support Interactive Writing
II. Sharing the Pen with Young Writers
4. Essential Elements of Interactive Writing
5. Learning Writing: Composing a Text
6. Constructing a Text: Learning About Letters and the Printer's Code
7. Constructing a Text: Learning How Words Work
III. Young Writers Explore Texts Across the Curriculum
8. Learning About Literature Through Interactive Writing
9. Learning About Expository Text Through Interactive Writing
10. Using Expository Writing as a Tool for Inquiry
IV. Young Writers Engage in the Literacy Journey
11. Knowing Young Writers: The Foundation for Effective Teaching
12. Making Decisions for Effective Teaching
13. Adjusting Teaching and Texts to Move Writers Forward
V. The Foundations of Effective Writing Practice
14. Why Interactive Writing Helps Children Learn
15. Getting Started with Interactive Writing
Appendixes:
A. Specifications for Easel
B. Bibliographies:
