Writing for Understanding

Donovan R. Walling is a writer, editor, educator, and consultant. He serves as a senior consultant for the Center for Civic Education. He has taught art, English, and journalism in the United States and abroad and has worked as a curriculum administrator in public school districts in Wisconsin and Indiana. From 1993 until 2006 he was director of publications for the education association Phi Delta Kappa International.

Writing for Understandingáfocuses onáusing writing as an instructional tool for increasing studentsÆ understanding of content. Written for non-language arts teachers, the book provides approaches that are applicable from the upper elementary grades through high school.This resource gives teachers information and practical strategies to include student writing lessons in their instructional repertoire with specific attention to lessons that: Are content-specific across the curriculum or adaptable to various subject matter Increase student learning without the expectation that teachers will be, or become, experts in writing instruction Do not unreasonably increase teachersÆ workloads

Introduction: How Can I Teach Writing If I¿m Not a Writing Teacher?1. How Writing Increases Understanding Debunking Myths and Misconceptions Alternatives to Bloom Five Research-Based "Truths" About Writing Developing Effective Writing Questions and Prompts Daily Writing Some Thoughts on Taking Notes2. Developing Narrative Writing Assignments What Is Narrative Writing? Types of Narrative Writing Using Narrative Writing Class Dialogue Using Narrative Writing to Build Content Vocabulary Sample Narrataive Writing Questions and Prompts3. Developing Descriptive Writing Assignments What Is Descriptive Writing? Using Descriptive Writing Sensory Details Describing Processes Class Dialogue Translating Mathematics Giving Directions Sample Descriptive Writing Questions and Prompts4. Developing Expository Writing Assignments What Is Expository Writing? Using Expository Writing Class Dialogue Writing Prompts That Require Cause-and-Effect Reasoning Sample Expository Writing Questions and Prompts5. Developing Persuasive Writing Assignments What Is Persuasive Writing? Using Persuasive Writing Class Dialogue Persuasion and the Basics of Logic Sample Persuasive Writing Questions and Prompts6. Developing Argumentative Writing Assignments What Is Argumentative Writing? Using Argumentative Writing Class Dialogue Follow-Up Sharing and Discussion Sample Argumentative Writing Questions and Prompts7. Using Dialogues About Writing to Build Meaning A Basis in Socratic Questioning Developing and Using Class Dialogues Developing and Using Student Dialogues Making and Using Rubrics8. Internet-Writing Connections and Resources Using E-Speak to Encourage Writing Online Resources Can Help Students and Teachers Websites for Students Websites for Teachers9. Frequently Asked Questions About Writing Language Alive Usage Punctuation10. Print Resources Books DocumentsReferencesIndex