ABSTRACT
Interactive writing lessons are effective only when classroom management systems are solid. Our experience as teachers and with teachers reinforces that, in addition to knowing this method well and engaging in thoughtful lesson planning, attention must also be given to how your classroom flows and the expectations you have for students. With this in mind, the authors wander briefly into the world of classroom management in order to share some important conceptual understandings that undergird the practice of interactive writing. They also consider the work done by others who have written about interactive writing. Taken together, this thinking informs our points for preparation. “An effective management system paves the way for learning to occur with minimal interference and maximal nourishment”. Indeed, strong classroom management is a core foundation of effective teaching. Much has been studied, synthesized, and written about this topic.
