Reclaiming Reluctant Writers: How to Encourage Students to Face Their Fears and Master the Essential Traits of Good Writing

The primary grades offer young students opportunities to tackle the basics of reading and writing. But when they encounter the demands of intermediate and middle-level writing, many students become unresponsive, and the gap between the “willing” and “less willing” student widens.

Reclaiming Reluctant Writers explores the myths and realities of writing and shows teachers how to give struggling students the knowledge, understanding, and confidence to write willingly and well. This practical guide features classroom-tested activities that take students from isolated skills to a deep and rich understanding of the form and function of language.

Included in the book are many strategies for teaching the essentials of good writing:

• Topics and Flow of Ideas
• Organization
• Fluency and Experimentation
• Competency
• Peer Editing
• Power and Voice

Reclaiming Reluctant Writers focuses on inspiring and nurturing young writers to become more competent and to regard writing not as a chore, but as a purposeful, pleasurable and satisfying experience.