Writing Instruction for English Learners : A Focus on Genre

"It is all too easy to skip steps or assume that students already have certain skills. This book helps ensure that the proper steps are taken to allow EL students to be successful in various genres of writing."
—James Becker, ELL Teacher/Administrator
Toronto, ON, Canada

"I felt as if I had taken an entire writing course just by reading this book!"
—Rachel A. Mederios, ELL Teacher/Program Supervisor
Jefferson Elementary School, Boise, ID

Provide solid writing instruction to English learners!

Exposing students to various genres of written text is one of the most powerful approaches to guiding development in writing. This resource helps teachers combine explicit and intentional strategies to facilitate writing development across genres for English learners in Grades 2–8.

Based on the author′s extensive experience as a writing instructor, this guide provides a unique approach that emphasizes using choice and students′ personal experiences to engage English learners in writing. Chapters outline a variety of scaffolds that provide students with the targeted help they need, based on their current development and proficiency. These supports allow teachers to work with students as they analyze elements of written text, work alongside peers, and learn to write in different genres. Teachers will find:

• Resources for teaching narrative, expository, and persuasive writing and poetry
• Techniques for using the process writing model to lead students through pre-writing, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing their work
• Reproducible graphic organizers for use with English learners
• Samples of student work

Writing Instruction for English Learners is rich in proven, practical techniques to equip educators with the tools they need to guide English learners to write more skillfully.