Primary Voices, Vol. 8, No. 1, August 1999

Table of Contents

Issue Theme: Units of Study in the Writing Workshop

• Message from the Editors

  Katie Wood Ray and Lester L. Laminack

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  Abstract: Explains the need to think of curriculum as consisting of units of study across a writing year. Outlines a predictable structure for genre study and helps teachers think about how to choose literature to support these studies. Appends a sample year-long curriculum chart and a blank chart to use for planning.

  Keywords: Elementary, Literature

• Units of Study in the Writing Workshop

  Isoke Titilayo Nia

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  Abstract: Describes a fifth-grade teacher's year-long unit of study on memoir. Addresses getting started, mini-lessons, drafting, and embellishment and voice. Notes that even reluctant writers became involved in writing memoirs and that the teacher followed her own advice and began writing a memoir about her grandmother. Appends a rubric for evaluating memoirs.

  Keywords: Elementary, Writing

• A Study of Memoir

  Amy Arnberg

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  Abstract: Describes a fifth-grade teacher's year-long unit of study on memoir. Addresses getting started, mini-lessons, drafting, and embellishment and voice. Notes that even reluctant writers became involved in writing memoirs and that the teacher followed her own advice and began writing a memoir about her grandmother. Appends a rubric for evaluating memoirs.

  Keywords: Elementary, Writing

• Ninja Turtles, Space Aliens, and Regular Folks: A Fifth-Grade Genre Study of Fiction

  Carolyn Goldfarb

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  Abstract: Describes a fifth grade teacher's eight-week unit of study on fiction. Notes that fiction had been a part of the teacher's reading workshop but was absent from her writing workshop. Discusses immersion and exploration, characterization, developing plot, and drafting and revision.

  Keywords: Elementary, Writing

• Using the Writer's Notebook across the Day and beyond the Writing Workshop

  Janet Angelillo

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  Abstract: Suggests that keeping a writer's notebook can be a unit of study in itself and that students can learn to use the notebook as a workbench for drafting, crafting, revising, and editing. Describes the author's work using writer's notebooks across several classrooms and grade levels.

  Keywords: Elementary, Writing

• Genre Study of Nonfiction Writing: Feature Articles, Editorials, and Essays

  Anna Danon Reduce

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  Abstract: Describes a year-long fourth-grade unit of study on the genre of nonfiction. Notes that students' early writings lacked "voice." Discusses launching the genre study, choosing and researching a topic, drafting and revising, and publishing. Concludes that students reclaimed their writing voices as they tackled a range of diverse, interesting topics.

  Keywords: Elementary, Writing

• Reflections

  Isoke Titilayo Nia

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  Abstract: Discusses what four teachers and their staff developer (each of whom wrote an article for this themed issue of this journal) learned over their two-year journey, a journey in which the goal was to improve their writing workshops.

  Keywords: Elementary, Writing

• Growing Your Knowledge Base

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  Abstract: A bibliography of selected resources " to make yourself smart about a particular content" and "to give yourself an image of this work in the classroom." Relates to the themed issue, " Units of Study in the Writing Workshop."

  Keywords: Elementary, Writing

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