ABSTRACT

There’s a Writer in Our House! is an invitation to parents of children in first grade through fifth grade interested in actively participating in their children’s early literacy learning from the very first steps.

Founded upon well-researched literacy instructional methods that have been informed by the author’s clinical perspective as well as her years of experience with many kinds of learners, this book provides a valuable understanding of how both writing and reading contribute to child development in multiple areas. Chapters provide background concepts regarding grammar and specific critical thinking skills in both writing and reading as well as customizable, child-centered activities used to practice and build writing and reading comprehension skills.

You will learn how to advance and encourage your child’s learning and communication skills by highlighting important literacy areas such as vocabulary development, background knowledge, and critical thinking. You will also learn to recognize and track the significant developmental achievements of your child as you proceed from the early to the more complex At-Home activities, as well as receive strategies for how to respond and give feedback in specific situations, such as when a child writes something that makes sense to the child but not to the parent, how to offer feedback that identifies and labels a child’s strengths, and how to collaborate effectively with a child who is just developing new interests or a new willingness to try something that previously seemed “hard.”

Practical, accessible, and most importantly, fun, this book is a must-read for all parents, regardless of background, seeking to support their children’s ongoing literacy development confidently and effectively.

chapter |16 pages

Introduction

The Invitation

part I|164 pages

The Emerging Writer

chapter 1|21 pages

Setting the Stage for Success

Understanding the WHY and the HOW

chapter 2|21 pages

The At-Home Model for Young Writers and Readers

Questions and Answers

chapter 3|28 pages

At-Home Writing Activities

Getting Started and Keeping Going

chapter 4|24 pages

The Young Writer's Assets

Background Knowledge, Vocabulary, and Thinking Skills

chapter 5|26 pages

The Writer's Toolbox

Words, Sentences, and Paragraphs

chapter 6|16 pages

Connecting Writing to Book Reading

Activity Level: Grade 2–5+

chapter 7|26 pages

Getting Creative

Activity Level: 6+ years

part 2|72 pages

The Emerging Reader

chapter 8|26 pages

The At-Home Model for New Readers

The Language Experience Approach (LEA)

chapter 9|14 pages

Expanding Reading Development with the Language Experience Approach

Activity Level: 5–6+ years

chapter 10|30 pages

Building Critical Thinking Skills At-Home

Activity Level: Children 5+ Years and Their Parents

part 3|36 pages

Meeting Today's Challenges for Parents

chapter 11|31 pages

Parents in a Supporting Role

chapter |3 pages

About the Author