Casework in K–6 Writing Instruction: Connecting Composing Strategies, Digital Literacies, and Disciplinary Content to the Common Core(7 Critical Praxis and Curriculum Guides)

Casework in K–6 Writing Instruction is a collection of teaching cases that feature real teachers, real students, and real examples of K–6 writing instruction. Using student/teacher dialogue and reader-friendly narration, each case author describes a teacher’s use of print and/or media-based tools to teach students how to write for literacy and disciplinary purposes. Rather than focusing on one particular method, this book features multiple methods, such as writing workshop, 6+1 Traits, and balanced literacy, presented through authentic classroom examples. The book includes a view of writing instruction across grade levels, disciplines, and contexts. Current and future classroom teachers will be interested in the practical application and various viewpoints presented throughout the book. Casework in K–6 Writing Instruction could be used in teacher study groups, professional learning communities, undergraduate courses, Masters courses, and professional development seminars at the local, national, and international levels.

Table of Contents:
Contents: Mary Huffstetter: Creating Illustrations and Text during Writing Workshop (Kindergarten) – Susan V. Bennett/AnnMarie Alberton Gunn: Exploring Identity through Word Choice: Using Multicultural Literature to Create Connections (Kindergarten) – Susan Constable: Not Your Grandmother’s Writing Lesson: Teaching Concepts and Conventions through Digital Interactive Writing (First Grade) – Kathleen M. Alley: Using Mentor Texts to Write Personal Narrative Small Moment Stories (First Grade) – Susan Torpey: Graphic Organizer or Fill-in-the-Blank Exercise: Teaching Expository Text Structures Using Fictional Characters (First Grade) – Jacqueline Hickey/Susan Constable: Telling Our Stories: Blogging with Primary English Language Learners (First Grade) – Vanessa Minick: Three Reasons Why: Teaching Writing through Repetitive Text Structures (Second Grade) – Melinda McConnaughhay Adams: «There’s no electricity in Cracker Country»: Writing from Experience (Second Grade) – Carrie Blosser Scheckelhoff: «I HATE writing!»: The Role of Applied Phonics and Teacher Conferences in Composition (Second Grade) – Audra K. Parker/James L. Welsh: Too Many Traits, Too Much Time: Trying to Teach Writing with Technology (Third Grade) – Margaret B. Krause/Aimee Frier/Rebecca Lovering Powell: A Mexican Party in the Sky: Glitches in Composing with Digital Media and Disciplinary Content (Third Grade) – Mary Virginia Feger: The Writing Runaround: Using Explicit Instruction to Teach Ideas and Organization through Modeled Writing (Fourth Grade) – Steven Hart: «This isn’t what we normally do»: Test Preparation and the Teaching of Writing (Fourth Grade) – Ruth Sylvester: «Honey, what does that mean?»: Conferencing with a Struggling Writer (Fourth Grade) – Coleen Daniels: Hot and Spicy Words: Motivating Writing and Vocabulary Development (Fifth Grade) – Patriann Smith/Aimee Frier/Jenifer Jasinski Schneider: Negotiating American History: Bilingual Learners Collaboratively Compose Information Texts (Fifth Grade) – Matthew U. Blankenship/Erin E. Margarella/Jenna Thomas/Amber Holmberg/Jenifer Jasinski Schneider: Cloudy or Cumulus: Collaborative Composition and Storyboarding to Produce Print and Digital Science Texts (Fifth Grade) – Stephanie M. Bennett: The Rights to Write: How the Constitutional Convention Helped Students Compose (Sixth Grade) – Deborah Kozdras: Getting a Clue: Textual Toys and Shifting Designs for Digital Composition (Sixth Grade).

About the Author :
Jenifer Jasinski Schneider (PhD, The Ohio State University) is an associate professor at the University of South Florida. A winner of several teaching awards, Dr. Schneider is recognized for her work in writing instruction and multimedia composition. She is published in major literacy research journals.

Review :
"Jenifer Jasinski Schneider presents instructional writing scenarios in a no-nonsense, straightforward approach to address writing using a model of gradual release. This is critical to promote the necessity for students taking ownership of their own learning. These scenarios demonstrate prime examples of students thinking critically, engaging in discussion to shape their ideas, and writing to cement their thoughts. Educators will find great value as they pore through the pages of this resource." (Kerry Padrick, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, and Communication, St. Lucie Public Schools) "'Casework in K-6 Writing Instruction' offers a unique collection of classroom examples which can be used as instructional models (or non-examples) for teachers. The analytic reflections following each case are helpful in identifying hot topics that would stimulate discussions and heated debate ... This is the first methods text I have found which illustrates various models and instructional strategies for teaching writing. I truly appreciate the eclectic approach which represents the reality of teaching writing in schools." (Christine Reilly, Assistant Professor of Reading, Georgia Gwinnett College) "'Casework in K-6 Writing Instruction' provides a much-needed resource for teachers, administrators, coaches, and curriculum specialists who are navigating the sometimes rough waters of our new standards implementation. Schneider's book offers wonderful stories of how teachers help students to become the kind of writers these new standards require: writers who are thoughtful about the messages they want to communicate. Whether looking for a resource to help a beginning teacher or one that provides rich next steps in supporting a writing curriculum, this book would be a valuable addition to an educator's professional library." (Sherry Moser, Elementary Literacy Curriculum Specialist, Polk County Public Schools)