Living And Teaching the Writing Workshop

"Kristen has something to teach all of us - inexperienced and experienced writers alike - about how to create a writing life or enrich our writing lives in powerful ways. And her book can help all of us become better writing teachers."
- Carl Anderson, author of "Assessing Writers" "Reading "Living and Teaching the Writing Workshop "felt like I had this funny, passionate, insightful teacher sitting next to me and coaching me through all this. The wonderfully conversational tone is perfect for that teacher who really wants to do "this writing stuff" herself but is a little nervous about it all."
- Katie Wood Ray, author of "About the Authors" In "Living and Teaching the Writing Workshop," Kristen Painter helps you develop the writing teacher in you by uncovering the writer in you. After all, the more you know about writing, the better able you are to show students how it works, what it's like, and the amazing sense of possibility it can bring you. Painter is your mentor and guide as you build your writing identity. She shares proven ideas, examples of her own work, and "try its" for those who are unsure how to get started. In addition, she offers numerous suggestions for creating a writing group in which you can practice the craft of writing among professional colleagues or out-of-school friends. As you hone drafts in the safety of your own adult writing workshop, you'll experience epiphanies that shed light on the big ideas that support writing instruction, and the little, tiny details that make the planning and conducting of a workshop go smoothly.

Inspirational and reflective, yet roll-up-your-sleeves workable, "Living and Teaching the Writing Workshop" also contains minilessons that directly apply what you learn in your own writing to your students' learning by modeling the writing process for them. Slim, practical, and complete with writing invitations for you and your students, "Living and Teaching the Writing Workshop" will help you link theory and practice, find commonalities between your professional and personal selves, and connect you to both your students and your curriculum.

A former staff developer at the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project, Columbia University, and the former director of literacy in a Saint Louis-area school district, Kristen Painter now divides her time among consulting, writing, and family.