In this book, Dr. Timothy Horan presents an original and highly effective writing program whose major goal is to transform middle school students into competent and confident writers. This writing program is innovative, rigorous, and engaging, and was designed with the student in mind.
This book contains a total of twenty original writing assignments--ten for seventh grade, and another ten for eighth grade. These assignments are based on middle school students' natural predilections and developmental levels, and represent creative interpretations of the Common Core Writing Standards. Each writing project in this book is full and complete, and is described with clarity and simplicity. Each assignment also includes a reproducible outline that presents the assignment to students in a simplified graphical format.
The pedagogical philosophy underlying this program is simple and effective. It seeks to provide students with enjoyable writing assignments that students will understand, learn from, and complete. As students progress through the program, they will develop an upbeat emotional bond with the act of writing, and will learn to approach composition with a sense of optimism and confidence.
Timothy Horan BA, MA, MS, MS, DA, is the inventor of the School Library Writing Center, the editor of VOYA Magazine (Voice of Youth Advocates), and is widely published in the fields of teaching and writing. He has been an adjunct professor of English, supervisor of a university writing center, and has over twenty years of experience teaching writing, literature, and library science.
The writing projects described in this book are interesting and useful. Of particular note are the chapters on Anne Frank's Diary. Dr. Horan has created writing projects that present the Diary in terms that young students will understand and enjoy. These projects also emphasize lessons to be learned from the Diary, which are highly relevant in today's world.
Middle school teachers, take note: your students will love the writing assignments described in this book. These writing projects are innovative and engaging, and will teach students how to write virtually anything--and provide abundant smiles along the way. Highly recommended.
In this book, Dr. Timothy Horan provides twenty original writing projects that young students will find exciting. This is the book that teachers of writing - especially in junior high school - should be using in their classrooms.