Writing to Learn & Writers Inc

Packed with everything you need in a writing handbook. Writing, reading, and additional study skills are combined in the best comprehensive writing manuals ever! The fundamental principals of writing are explained throughout for quick reference. Some of the topics covered are: writing paragraphs, poetry , punctuation, spelling, and more with sections on logic, book review, computer terms, maps, and even the U.S. Constitution.

This book is recommended in every Heart of Wisdom Unit Study. Throughout the lessons you are asked to correct students spelling, capitalization, punctuation, grammar, sentence structure, subject/verb agreement, consistent verb tense, and word usage in all writing by marking the error with a number that corresponds with a rule from Writers INC. The student refers to the rule in the book and corrects his paper and turns it back in.

It is important to read through “The Writing Process” in Writers INC with your student. It is important for your student to understand the writing process: Prewriting, Drafting, Revising, Editing and Publishing. Explain to your student that you will accept his or her writing in different stages. Requiring all work to be “published” can discourage writing.

Throughout the lessons your student will be asked to write summaries, paraphrases, letters, essays, etc. Much of the time you can accept rough drafts, but occasionally (especially adding work to the portfolio) your student needs to go through the entire process.

Through the writing assignments students will learn:

• Writing Skills: context, form, mechanics, editing and revision
• Spelling Skills: create a personal spelling dictionary
• Increase Vocabulary create a personal vocabulary notebook
• Handwriting Skills: practice writing Bible verses
• Critical Thinking Skills: manage and use information to solve problems, interrelate knowledge, effectively communicate learning outcomes.
• Character development through assignment completion: attentiveness, commitment, confidence, decisiveness, efficiency, faithfulness, perseverance, promptness, responsibility, and self-control
• more writing and revising strategies based on the six traits of effective writing;
• expanded guidelines for writing expository and persuasive essays;
• additional information on writing research papers including writing MLA thesis statements, using APA research guidelines, searching for information—in the library and on the Internet, and citing electronic sources;
• updated strategies for writing with computers including writing multimedia reports and publishing on-line;
• more information on thinking and learning skills including viewing, note taking, and test-taking skills.

Give your students an invaluable resource they’ll turn to again and again school and beyond.

The mechanics of writing should be taught as part of the overall process of writing .Gaining control of the mechanics of writin–punctuation, spelling, and correct usage– clearly important to becoming an effective writer. Research has shown that grammar lessons taught without making connections to the context of authentic writing do not typically help students better write or edit their own work (Hillocks, 1986;Weaver, 1997).

Many experts on writing and cognition emphasize the importance of learning these conventions in the context of the students’ own writing (e.g., Atwell,1987; Calkins, 1994; Graves, 1983; Spandel, 2001; Weaver, 1997). Routman (2000)points out, “Writers learn to control conventions best ‘at the point of need,’ that is, in the context of real writing.” This is not to say that mechanics, usage, and grammar should not be introduced in lessons directed by the teacher. What is necessary is that once introduced, these skills are made meaningful only by practice in the context of students– own writing. In addition, these skills should be reinforced as appropriate with mini-lessons.

Teacher Review

“This is a handbook not a textbook,therefore allowing the opportunity to use it not only during the English block, but throughout the curriculum. This handbook is a resource tool and a reference guide for my students to use as a means of mastering the beauty of the written word. It is a way for them to learn to express their thoughts and feelings in a variety of ways including journals, reports, poetry and story writing .

When I looked at this handbook for the first time, I was hooked! I knew I had found a tool that was child-friendly and illustrated the traits all good writers possess .

I begin each year by teaching the six-traits of effective writing, introducing my students to journal writing and portfolio management. We then spend time building paragraphs and writing short essays while simultaneously learning the steps in the writing process. Then we branch out across the curriculum incorporating our writing s kills in every aspect of our day…

The illustrations help present the important information in a fun and exciting way. The format breaks the writing process into simple steps and more importantly, it gives real-life examples (samples) of writing done by other kids. The checklists and proofreading guides are invaluable. It also teaches students how to use a dictionary, a thesaurus, how to become a better speller,punctuation skills, test-taking strategies as well as how to work in cooperative groups.

Write Source

Write Source is a group of teachers and writers who develop materials for students and instructors from kindergarten through twelfth grade.  Visit the links below for supporting materials for Writers Inc provided by Write Source.

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