[LIT] Teaching the Qualities of Writing?

[Sandle, Sarah]

Hi Maggie, I was wondering if you heard from anyone about "Teaching the Qualities of Writing"?  I was also interested in it and wanted to find out what others thought.  I teach middle school ESL, so I thought it might work for my kids even though it is geared for elementary.  Anyway, if you have time, please let me know what you heard about that program.  
 
Thanks!
 
Sarah Sandle
ESL Level 2
Vivian Field Middle School
Carrollton Farmers Branch ISD

________________________________

From: Maggie Dillier [mailto:m.dillier at gmail.com]
Sent: Mon 6/4/2007 7:28 AM
To: lit at literacyworkshop.org
Subject: [LIT] Teaching the Qualities of Writing?



Hello all,
I wrote awhile back asking for resources to plan a writing curriculum.
(Thanks for all your help, by the way!) I stumbled upon Ralph
Fletcher's Teaching the Qualities of Writing
(http://www.teachingthequalitiesofwriting.com <http://www.teachingthequalitiesofwriting.com/> ) and wondered if anyone
has any endorsements (or warnings!) for it. (It may be too young for
many of you middle school teachers. I teach fifth grade.)

I have used Fletcher's books in the past and I respect him quite a
bit, so this seemed perfect. I'm a little wary of a prescribed
curriculum, but I figure there is time to tweak it later; right now, I
just need someone to tell me what skills to teach and how! Ironically,
if you remember my post, I was confused about traits vs. genres, and
these lessons can be used either way. So I guess I still have to
decide.

I am also interested in his Lessons for the Writer's Notebook, since I
needed a little more guidance there, too. Anyone do anything really
cool with writer's notebooks??

Maggie

--
Maggie Dillier

"If you want to build a ship, don't herd people together to collect
wood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to
long for the endless immensity of the sea." (Antoine de Saint-Exupery)