  In Craft Lessons, Ralph Fletcher and JoAnn Portalupi write, "Writing conferences can be difficult to manage, and it's tempting to omit them from the workshop, but these one-to-one interactions are crucial. Writers need response, not only from their peers but from us as well." In this two-tape series we revisit Bailey's Elementary school on the outskirts of Washington, DC, to watch and listen as accomplished teachers of students in grades 3 through 5 confer with students about their writing. Tape 1, The Essentials of Conferring, covers a range of topics, including active listening, knowing your writers, management, predictable problems, and peer conferences. Tape 2, Refining Your Conference Skills, takes teachers deeper into the writing conference and shows how to help students build a "writer's toolbox," connect writing conferences to other parts of the workshop, raise the bar in a conference, and push your own learning by working with your colleagues. Taken together, these two tapes comprise an invaluable tool for becoming a more skillful writing teacher. About the Authors� JoAnn Portalupi and Ralph Fletcher are co-authors of Craft Lessons and Nonfiction Craft Lessons, two best-selling books they developed from more than fifteen years of working with teachers and children. Ralph is a professional writer and JoAnn has been a classroom teacher and faculty member at the University of Alabama at Birmingham; both worked in staff development at the Teachers College Writing Project. When they're not traveling around North America visiting classrooms, they live in Durham, New Hampshire. Two videotapes (each is approximately 30 minutes, 1/2" VHS) + Viewing Guide Related book entitled "Nonfiction Craft Lessons" (Teaching Information Writing K-8), by Joan Portalupi & Ralph Fletcher. 2001, 148 pages. $18.50. Call 800-431-1242 to order today. |