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.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments About the Authors Introduction 1. Writing Instruction for English Learners Process Versus Product Writing Process The Role of Talk Developing Written English Conclusion 2. Narrative Writing Understanding Narrative Writing Narrative Essays Narrative Genres Making it Public Conclusion Resources for Teaching Narrative Writing 3. Expository Writing Understanding Expository Writing Expository Essays Expository Genres Making it Public Conclusion Resources for Teaching Expository Writing 4. Persuasive Writing Understanding Persuasive Writing Persuasive Essays Persuasive Genres Making it Public Conclusion Resources for Teaching Persuasive Writing 5. Poetry Understanding Poetry Poetic Forms Making it Public Conclusion Resources for Teaching Poetry Concluding Thoughts Resources References Index

About the Author :
Eugenia Mora-Flores is a Professor of Clinical Education and Chair of the Master of Arts in Teaching program in the Rossier School of Education at the University of Southern California (USC). She teaches courses on first and second language acquisition, Latino culture, and in literacy development for elementary and secondary students. Her research interests include studies on effective practices in developing the language and literacy skills of English Learners in grades Pre-K-12. She has written 10 books in the area of literacy and academic language development (ALD) for English learners. Eugenia was named, USC’s MAT Professor of the Year (2016 & 2018), USC’s Teaching Excellence Award (2018) and the 2018 Community Achievement Award, this award recognizes professors who have made meaningful contributions to the educations of students of color and/or who identify as LGBTQ. Eugenia further works as a consultant for a variety of elementary, middle and high schools across the country in the areas of English Language Development (ELD), ALD and writing instruction. 

Review :
"I felt as if I had taken an entire writing course just by reading this book." "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."