The Responsive Writing Teacher, Grades K-5

A Hands-on Guide to Child-Centered, Equitable Instruction

“This book is an instructive call to action for all of us who need to be reminded of what hope enacted as classroom practice can look like.”  — Cornelius Minor

Every classroom is shaped by the skills, languages, social and cultural identities, perspectives, and passions of the children within it. When you approach writing instruction with a deep understanding of children in your classroom, everything else—assessment, planning, differentiated instruction, mentor and shared texts—begins to fall into place. And you can teach writing with inclusion, equity, and agency at the forefront.  

Authors Melanie Meehan and Kelsey Sorum show you how to adapt curriculum to meet the needs of the whole child. Each chapter offers intentional steps for responsive instruction across four domains: academic, linguistic, cultural, and social-emotional. Features include:

• Inspiration, classroom examples, and scaffolded tips for creating individualized resources
• Customizable information-gathering and planning tools, classroom charts, and writing samples
• Space for making notes and working through ideas
• Links to online content, including printable templates 

Just as you adapt instruction to your students, this book adapts to you. The authors designed every guide, tool, and resource to be usable in its original form, or customized as you see fit. This indispensable resource will make responsive instruction actionable—and your students feel valued and heard as they recognize the possibility and power they have as writers.