Because+Writing+Matters

National Writing Project and Carl Nagin. //Because Writing Matters: Improving Student Writing in Our Schools.// San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2006. Print.

//Because Writing Matters// can be a useful tool for teachers to reference in a number of ways. The ideas, suggestions, and strategies provided in this book are promoted by the common thought of the philosophy that all students can write. Nagin emphasizes that it is the empowerment of the students inspired by the guidance of the teachers that will lead them to that discovery. In his book he provides useful classroom strategies created by directors of writing programs, and he also includes a Glossary of Writing-as- Process- Strategies (Nagin, 2006 pp. 25-26.) In addition, he includes classroom vignettes from teachers that give ideas and suggestions for teaching writing and how writing can be used in numerous content areas, which leads to higher level learning. Nain also adds in research models, along with the results thereof, as tried and true indicators of what have been successful methods of teaching writing.

Carl Nagin’s //Because Writing Matters// was born of the request of the National Writing Project whose core mission is to improve teaching writing in schools nationwide for the result of improvements in learning through writing. Through the collaboration of the author, and the information provided by National Writing Project in working with: teachers, school administrators, and policy makers, this book was created to show not only the importance of writing in education, but also to help recognize and advocate the need for improvements in specific areas of teaching writing in our schools.

This book emphasizes the advantages of good writing skills leading to success as students move through the levels of education and continue onto post-secondary education and into the world of work as adults. It is made clear by Carl Nagin that it all starts in the classroom; it all starts with the teacher. The six chapters, through the use of models, classroom vignettes, research and case study results, show the effectiveness and strategies of writing programs in various schools. Nagin looks at the complexities and challenges in writing. //Because Writing Matters// explores how schools, the school administrators and the teachers need to be prepared for the expectations and standards in learning that are continually changing and increasing. He explores how English language learners can be given opportunities for learning that best suit their needs and allow for them to become actively involved, enthusiastic learners. Early literacy perspectives from years of research help link the diversity of social practices and writing development in Nain’s effort to represent effective and ineffective instructional strategies. In examining best practices along with trends in teaching writing, Nagin also observes that the “process of the real world can be developed in the classroom (Nagin, 2006 pp.3.) In this time of need of reform in our school he also encourages professional development. Additionally, he looks at the impact that state assessments have on teaching writing and the effectiveness of rubrics.

"Writing is complex, and so is the instructionthat a school must provide if it's students are to reach the high standards of learning expectedof them. (Nagin, 2006 pp 9.)

“In short, if students are to learn, they must write”.(Nagin, 2006 pp 104.)