Writing for Understanding : Strategies to Increase Content Learning

"While we have all heard of ′writing across the curriculum areas,′ Walling gives us an understanding of what this really means and provides examples that any teacher can modify to expand lessons to a more meaningful level, thus enhancing both writing and critical thinking skills in students."
—Mark S. Strauss, Principal
Virginia Schuman Young Montessori Magnet Elementary School, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

"Walling demonstrates through student writing samples and classroom dialogues how all content teachers can use various writing modes to enrich students′ content knowledge to the level of innovation and greater clarity."
—Carol Conway-Gerhardt, President
Catholic Schools Education Alliance of the Bay Area, Inc.

Develop effective writing assignments to boost student achievement in the content areas!

You don′t have to be a writing instructor or English teacher to use writing in the classroom. Writing for Understanding focuses on using writing as an essential instructional tool to deepen and expand student understanding in the content areas. Written specifically for non–language arts teachers, this book debunks myths about using writing in the classroom and offers practical approaches for the upper elementary grades through high school.

Writing activates higher-level thinking skills and engages students in concepts and content. Through sample writing prompts and classroom dialogues, Donovan R. Walling shows you how to create writing lessons that:

• Guide students in using narrative, descriptive, expository, persuasive, and argumentative writing
• Are adaptable to various subjects and disciplines
• Require students to process content using critical thinking skills

This valuable resource helps teachers in any subject incorporate writing as a tool of effective instruction.