Spring_2012_Reaching_Struggling_Writers


 * [[image:books.jpg]] || ==A Quick Guide to Reaching Struggling Writers==

Spring 2012
|| =Book Summary=

This book discusses strategies about how to reach struggling writers in the classroom. Colleen Cruz addresses the issues of frustration, avoidance, excuses, writer’s block, boring topics, and the desire to be done writing. Many students often face writer’s block or frustration when faced with a writing assignment; however some students are stuck all the time. These students are known as struggling writers. These types of students will use numerous types of excuses, for example; “I’m not a good writer,” “My hand hurts,” “I don’t know how to spell,” & “I don’t have anything to write about.” Cruz provides strategies for dealing with struggling students to inspire their creativity and spark a genuine interest in the writing process. She suggests understanding students individual writing identities, creating a community of writers, thinking within student’s Zone of Proximal Development, and considering a student’s affinities.

Author Biography
M. Colleen Cruz grew up loving writing in the city of Orange County, California. Throughout her childhood years, she spent much of her time writing and teaching to those around her, including her beloved family and pets. At the age of 14, she made her attempt at writing her own novel titled, “Cracked at the Touch.”

 Cruz’s passion for writing led her to attend Bradford College where she majored in Creative Writing. She even gained some of her inspiration from her undergrad years spent at Bradford College that sparked an idea for one of the books she is currently writing. Later, Cruz continued her education in New York City where she went on to graduate school.

 Cruz taught at P.S. 321 in Brooklyn for several years before shifting to her current job at the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project at Columbia University. Through the Project, she works as a staff developer in New York City public schools as well as a literacy consultant nationally and internationally. Cruz still resides in Brooklyn, NY with her family, friends, and pets.

Other Books:

__Writing Realistic Fiction: Big Dreams, Tall Ambitions __

__Independent Writing __

__Border Crossing __

__Stepping into the Wardrobe: A Fantasy Genre Study __

Useful Links: - Guidesheets and other teacher-friendly materials
 * www.colleencruz.com **

- Practical Links for Teachers

- Professional Books You Just Gotta Read


 * http://tc.readingandwritingproject.com/**

Digital Presentation
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Handout
<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">This book discusses strategies about how to reach struggling writers in the classroom. Colleen Cruz addresses the issues of frustration, avoidance, excuses, writer’s block, boring topics, and the desire to be done writing. Many students often face writer’s block or frustration when faced with a writing assignment; however some students are stuck all the time. These students are known as struggling writers. These types of students will use numerous types of excuses, for example; “I’m not a good writer,” “My hand hurts,” “I don’t know how to spell,” & “I don’t have anything to write about.” Cruz provides strategies for dealing with struggling students to inspire their creativity and spark a genuine interest in the writing process. She suggests understanding students individual writing identities, creating a community of writers, thinking within student’s Zone of Proximal Development, and considering a student’s affinities.

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;">Mini-Lesson
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">Ask students, “Which struggle can you identify with?”
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">“I’m not a good writer.”
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">“My hand hurts.”
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">“I never get to write anything I want to write.”
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">Quickwrite (1-2 minutes)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">Have students briefly describe why they become frustrated with this struggle.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">Ask them to jot down success or downfall writing experiences in regards to this struggle.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">Place class into a large circle group for peer conversations.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">Ask students to discuss why they choose their struggle and either a success or downfall experience they have had in their writing experience in regards to this struggle.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">Have students provide feedback for each other.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">Do other students relate?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">Do they have advice for support?

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