“This is one of the very few books that truly captures what it’s like to teach writing in primary classrooms. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to meet all your students’ needs, this book breaks writing instruction into clear, research-based practices that are actually doable during a busy school day. With a strong focus on explicit instruction, modeling, and building syntax knowledge, the authors give teachers practical ways to support students right away.”

—Susan Jones, MEd, first-grade teacher, Middleton School District, Massachusetts


“This book provides the most comprehensive guidance to date for early writing development and instruction. It is grounded in foundational theories and supported by rigorous research. The authors describe instructional practices that reflect the multiple components of writing, including transcription skills (such as handwriting and spelling) and text generation skills (composing). Positioning language at the center of writing, the authors highlight strategies for building young writers' purpose and motivation for writing in multiple genres. The book reinforces the connections between reading and writing, demonstrating how a variety of skills across developmental domains are integrated to yield cohesive and accurate writing.”

—Hope K. Gerde, PhD, Professor and Dean’s Excellence Chair, Department of Teaching, Learning, and Culture, Texas A&M University