Jennifer Serravallo · strategies · strategy charts · strategy lessons · writing workshop

The Writing Strategies Book + Giveaway!

Betsy Hubbard

As teachers, we are always looking for something to make our lives a little easier. I remember when The Reading Strategies Book first hit shelves and colleagues were buzzing. We appreciated the depth of strategies while also understanding that the author, Jennifer Serravallo, did what most of us wish we could do, take the best and put it all together. Well, she’s done it again. This time with writing. The Writing Strategies Book will begin filling the minds of classroom teachers everywhere in early February and I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek at the organized connections that Jen has once again made so easy to follow and for immediate daily use.

We’ve all been there. Students are in so many different places and finding the similarities or knowing exactly what the next step should be can become daunting. That’s what I love about this graphic and the ideas that Jen offers to us. Below illustrates an example of how one might plan and build a student’s repertoire of strategies as they navigate their journey in the world of writing.

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If you are familiar with The Reading Strategies Book, you will feel like you have a head start when you crack open The Writing Strategies Book. The layout impressively organizes strategies, teaching tips, language, and prompts. If something is new to you or doesn’t feel natural, Jen makes it easy to navigate and find exactly what you need to meet the needs of your most eager and most struggling writers. Once again, each strategy is accompanied by a chart, visual, or graphic image to allow you to see an example of what the teaching might look like in your classroom. What I find with these graphics is often it makes it easier for my own ideas to percolate and brew into something deeper and more rich. Having the visual at my fingertips takes away the pressure of thinking, “Okay, how do I make this work for me?” It offers immediate ideas that allow my own to flow a bit freer.

 

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Click image to enlarge.

The table of contents breaks down the big areas of writing. These big ideas are what you would typically use for goal setting and the lessons that follow allow you to choose strategies that best match the needs of your students.

The chapters (goals) include the following:

  • Composing with Pictures
  • Engagement
  • Generating and Collecting Ideas
  • Focus/Meaning
  • Organization and Structure
  • Elaboration
  • Word Choice
  • Conventions: Spelling and Letter Formation
  • Conventions: Grammar and Punctuation
  • Collaborating with Writing Partners and Clubs

Jen explains that she grappled a bit when organizing the book. Genre? Process? In the end, she landed on goals because so often strategies find themselves needed within so many elements of both process and genre.

I was pleasantly surprised to see that the first strategy of the book is titled Talk (As You draw). As many of you know, this is near and dear to my heart. The strategies throughout span from The Pen is Mightier than the Sword to Lie (to Tell the Truth). I have found that my favorite way to get to know the book so far has been to combine lessons and create charts that build. In my classroom, we were beginning a unit on Realistic Fiction when I first began flipping the pages. I found many of my favorite lessons for generating ideas and used several to model and build throughout the week leaving a treasure trove of ideas when students began to draft their second or third story within the unit. At first glance, the charts I created may seem overwhelming but we built them together and students are able to navigate the strategies with ease because we spent time with each idea. Now, as charts should, its offering is a reminder of those lessons and acts as an anchor for generating ideas in my classroom.

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This chart used lessons from Goal 3, Generating and Collecting Ideas.

Strategy 3.13 Start with a Character: Students list traits and ideas about a possible character using prompts like, who, what, description and problem.

Strategy 3.17 Get Sparked by Setting: Students use imagery, feeling, and memories to spark an idea.

Strategy 3.24 Wonder, “What If…”: I encouraged students to think of something true and then twist it in a way that developed new characters, plots, or problems.

Strategy 3.25 Mix and Match Story Elements: I used some of our favorite picture books to model this strategy during reading workshop and then moved the chart to our writing ideas chart to show that story elements can be listed and then mixed and matched. Students enjoyed using real characters from their favorite books as well as creating their own story elements and mixing them up to create a brand new story.

Strategy 3.36 Find Characters and Ideas in the World: Here students observe and wonder about their world.

Playing with these strategies and setting goals for my writers has been a great adventure the past several weeks. I am looking forward to continuing to explore all the ideas. Especially, the appendix, which offers tons of ideas for publishing and celebrations! I am willing to bet you’d love the chance to do the same and that is why Heinemann has graciously offered to giveaway a copy of The Writing Strategies Book to two readers from our community. Please see the information below for details! I can assure you, this book will be finding its way into your classroom and making your workshop hum with a whole new tune. If you want a little bit of a closer look, click here, to see Jen talk about the book and walk you through the pages and how best to use them with your students.

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION:

  • This giveaway is for a copy of The Writing Strategies Book.  Many thanks to Heinemann Publications for donating a copy for two lucky readers.
  • For a chance to win, please leave a comment about this post by Friday, February 3rd at 11:59 p.m. ET. I’ll use a random number generator to pick the winners, whose names I will announce at the bottom of this post (pending prompt responses), by Sunday, February 5th.
  • Please be sure to leave a valid e-mail address when you post your comment, so I can contact you to obtain your mailing address if you win.  From there, my contact will ship your book out to you.  (NOTE: Your e-mail address will not be published online if you leave it in the e-mail field only.)
  • If you are the winner of the book, I will email you with the subject line of TWO WRITING TEACHERS – THE WRITING STRATEGIES BOOK. Please respond to my e-mail with your mailing address within five days of receipt. Unfortunately, a new winner will be chosen if a response isn’t received within five days of the giveaway announcement.

Announcement:

The winners of The Writing Strategies Book are Nikki Erickson and Laura Krentel! Each will be sent a copy of The Writing Strategies Book by Jennifer Serravallo. Many thanks to the over 500 commenters and to Heinemann for providing the giveaway.

 

Published by Betsy Hubbard

Daughter, sister, wife, mother, teacher, and writer.

529 thoughts on “The Writing Strategies Book + Giveaway!”

  2. The Reading Strategies book has become my ultimate go to book this year for my fourth grade class- I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of the Writing Strategies book!

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  12. How to help students with writing is a question many of my teachers ask. We are excited to have this book of strategies to use so that we have suggestions on how to help our students to be better writers. We’ve loved the Reading Strategies book for the last couple of years and just know that this one will be just as awesome! So excited!!

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  14. This sounds exactly like what I need as I navigate my way through a new grade level and new curriculum. I would be so excited to devour The Writing Strategies Book and put it to immediate use in my Writers Workshop. Should my name get drawn, please email me at christinetitus@wlcsd.org.
    Looking forward to many more blog posts full of helpful info. For this relatively “new” classroom teacher.
    Thanks!

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  15. The reading strategies book is an amazing tool that has allowed us to help our students become amazing readers. Even they are becoming familiar with how the book works! I can’t wait to get my hands on the writing strategies book!!! So exciting!!

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  17. I have used the Reading Strategies book a lot . . . and am excited to see the new Writing Strategies book! It looks like a fabulous resource!

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  20. Loved the Reading Strategies Book as well as Jen’s other books and can’t wait to put so many of the gems from the Writing Strategies Book into action as well. We are planning a books study in our district!!!!

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  28. I absolutely cannot wait for this book to come out! The Reading Strategies book, also by Serravallo, is practically my bible for reading instruction. I expect that this book will become the same for our writing workshop time! #fingerscrossed heimc@stpatsdc.org

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  33. I love the Reading Strategies Book and can’t wait to see the Writing Strategies Book! I t helps differentiate conferences!

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  37. Can’t wait to get my hands on this book. I love that it starts where my students start- drawing & talking- & builds from there. Also love the very visual format.

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  39. This post is a powerful “how-to” guide to using this amazing resource! I will share these tips and navigation ideas in upcoming literacy coaching sessions!

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  43. Many of the teachers at my school have begun using The Reading Strategies Book and have fallen in love. I’m so excited to get this book in my hands; it looks like such a valuable resource and a great accompaniment to our writing units.

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  45. Betsy, I bet you were just drooling over this book when you were finally holding it in your hands. I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy. If it’s even half as good at The Reading Strategies book, I’ll be thrilled!

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  46. Just purchased The Reading Strategies Book for the resource teachers in our district! Love how easy it is to locate lessons for planning, remediation, or intervention! Ordering the Writing Strategies Book today!

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  47. If this book is even a fraction of what The Reading Strategies Book is, it’s golden! I can not wait to take a peek at this book and use it as a resource with all of the staff that I work with.

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  48. I am an elementary literacy coach and we are in year 2 of implementing the Writing Units. This book would be an awesome resource for me to have as I support teachers with writing instruction!

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  49. Jen’s books are supportive of the workshop classroom. Her reading strategies are helpful to both teachers and students. My colleagues and I look forward to the release of the Writing Strategies!

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  55. I have The Reading Strategues book and I loooove it!! I wish I’d had it my entire teaching career!
    I can’t wait for the Writing Strategies Book! I’m new to second grade after nearly a decade in middle school and feel lost teaching writing to my students sometimes.

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  58. As an eight grade teacher I sure could use the Writing Strategies Book!
    The CTWP helped me to become a better teacher of writing , but I feel like I still have so much to learn. The format of the book looks to be user friendly, like the Reading Strategies book, too.

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  64. The reading strategies book is a must have for all educators! I am so pleased that the sequels is coming out! I can’t wait to get my hands on one and start using it with my teachers and for planning! I know it will be another great assets to the the professional library!

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  69. Jen’s Reading Strategies book has been a “Go-To” resource in so many ways! It’s packed with practical tips and formatted in visually appealing ways. I feel like Jen has been right by my side nurturing my practice as I nurture that of my students. I’ve been eagerly waiting with anticipation for her Writing Strategies book! Congratulations to Jen on the hard but fruitful work she has invested in this much-needed project!

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    1. SOO incredibly excited!!! Ever since hearing Jennifer speak, I’ve been using her Reading Strategies book in my classroom and it has completely transformed the way I teach and the way students think about reading. The first day I started implementing strategy lessons students who did not like reading came up to me afterwards and gave me a huge hug. They are becoming better readers and are so excited about reading! Can’t wait for this writing book to come out!!

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  71. We used the Reading Strategies Book as a basis for our PLC last year. Would love to see what gems the Writing Strategies book has!

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  73. I can’t wait to get my hands on The Writing Strategies Book. I love using and sharing The Reading Strategies Book with others.

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  74. I really find the reading strategies book helpful. I am confident that the wrting stragies book will organized well and just as helpful.

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  76. I absolutely LOVE the Reading Strategies Book, and I can’t wait to get my hands on the Writing Strategies Book! I use the reading book all the time with small groups as well as for guidance with whole class lessons!!

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  77. Our school loves Jen Serravallo’s work! We have multiple copies of the Reading Strategies book and we can’t wait to get our hands in the Writibg Strategies book! 🎯📓🎯📓🎯

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  78. I love your Reading Strategies book and can’t wait to get a copy of your new Writing Strategies book. I am a 4th grade teacher and it has helped me tremendously. Thank you!

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  80. I use the Reading Strategies book all the time. The Writing Strategies book would be a great addition to my writing resources.

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  81. I can’t wait to explore the writing strategies book more! The reading strategies book was a huge help in my classroom for the last two years! Here to more years of best practice teaching!

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  87. The Reading Strategies Book was a book study for our school last year. It was amazing and something I use with my guided reading groups now on a regular basis. I am sure the writing book will be just as great!

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  88. I was able to hear Jennifer speak at our state IRC and was amazed at her hands-on discussion and ideas she shared. Knowing her expertise, I can’t wait to see what her new book includes.

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  89. I love Jennifer’s Reading Strategies book and have used it and asked my principal to buy it for each teacher (and she did!) in our PLC meetings we are focusing on writing so I’m very much looking forward to this book!

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  90. I quickly fell in love with The Reading Strategies Book, small group and individual strategy work is what really matters the most and I can not wait to see what ideas I can find in The Writing Strategies Book!

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  91. I love Reading Strategies, and am interested in gathering more techniques to use during Writer’s Workshop from your new Writing Strategies book. Thanks for the opportunity to win.

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  93. I bought all teachers in my school, The Reafing Strategies Book. We are using it for strategic intervention and ELA support. I can only imagine how, The Writing Strategies Book, can further enhance our intentional teaching. Thank you for your work!!!

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  94. I have The Reading Strategies Book and I absolutely love it. I can’t wait to get my hands on this new book. I see so many possibilities of how it can be used!

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  97. I’m so excited to hear about this book!!! I think teachers will be relieved to know that there are so many ways to help kids build their writing the same way we build their reading skills!!!

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  100. I absolutely LOVE the reading strategies book and was SO excited to see a writing one as well. Writing is my weakest subject and I know this book will help me become a better writing teacher AND teach my kids to be stronger writers. Would LOVE to win this resource!

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  102. Thank you for organizing this giveaway and sharing how you use it in your classroom. I am a literacy coach at my school and keep The Reading Strategies book close to me at all times. I am super excited about adding The Writing Strategies book as well.

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  104. As a teacher that has gone from Kindergarten writers to 5th grade writers and back to Kinders again this year, I love the true range of skills in the mentor text for teachers. My copy of Reading Strategies book stays with my Pensive with every reading date. I can not wait to get my hands on the writing! This book truly supports the teachers that love to develop their craft with conferring!

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  105. We are sooo struggling in our ELA teaching! We NEED to find a common ground! Some of us LOVE the Reading Strategies Book so we hope this will be a WIN 🙂

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  106. As a Literacy Coach, I am always adding reference books to my toolkit and collecting as many copies as I can to distribute to my teachers. We absolutely love the Reading Strategies book and can’t wait to learn about different strategies for teaching students to be independent writers!

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  108. I have been waiting for this book to come out!!!!! 🙂 I know there are a LOT of comments, but my fingers are crossed. 🙂 Thanks for your thoughts and comments on this book. Even if I don’t win, it’s headed into my cart for summer reading! 🙂

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  109. I am so excited the book is finally coming out. I had order a few months ago but my order was cancelled due to a lack of orders. Bring it on Jen….

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  110. I love the Reading Strategies book and would really like to read this one. This would be an awesome resource for my fourth grade classroom.

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  112. That mix and match strategy is exciting…combining reading and writing is the way to go! Can’t wait to get my hands on this book!:)

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  116. Our district is using the Reading Strategies Book and teachers are digging into the strategies and setting goals for students. I have loved her book from the moment I first purchased it and now I cannot wait for this writing book! I’m sure it will be love at first sight as well! Thank you for the great review of Jen’s new book!

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  119. I can’t wait! …. I love The Reading Strategies and know The Writing Strategies will be just as great! Thanks for sharing a sneak peek!

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  120. Just bought The Reading Strategies books and I LOVE it. In fact I shared it with my principal and he’s looking into getting a few for the teacher to use as a resource. Can’t wait to try The Writing Strategies book because teaching writing is definitely a weakness for me.

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  122. I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of the Writing Strategies Book! I have the Reading Strategies Book and love how it’s set up! Thank you!

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  124. I am so excited for this book! As a reading specialist, I appreciate how Jen’s reading book consolidated best practices into one easy-to-use reference. I’ve referred many teachers to the book. I cannot wait to see how her writing book can influence our practice! If the table of contents is any indication, we are in for a real treat!

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  125. I am excited for this book to come out, as I currently have and use The Reading Strategies book. I am hopeful that my struggling writers will benefit as this book will offer another strategy to try. Your use of multiple strategies combined I feel will benefit my writers who are at or above grade level. They can receive that push to strengthen their writing. Hope to get this book soon!

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  126. I’m excited about this resource! I am looking forward to utilizing it to meet the needs of the students in my classroom. So many times, I am searching various sites, blogs, and others sources for strategies, organizers and suggestions for our learners. It’s wonderful to have a all of these in one.

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  129. After using The Reading Strategies book with such success, I can’t wait to get my hands on The Writing Strategies book. Total game changer for my literacy teaching.

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  130. Love Seravallo’s first book. What a gift to have the best strategies come together in one book. Looking forward to the Writing Strategies book.

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  131. The Reading Strategies book has been such a life saver! Cannot wait to see how The Writing Strategies book helps guide my teaching as well. Truly worthwhile teacher resources.

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  134. I have enjoyed the Reading Strategies book and have recommended it to a colleague who went out and bought it and recommended it to her team. I have recently discovered Jen Serravallo and am a huge fan. I have enjoyed her podcast “Teachers ask Jen Serravallo” and stalked her on a podcast search and recently listened to another hour long interview on “The wired educator” podcast. Thank you for the review of this new book. I plan to get it as soon as it comes out. I think that it will make my writing instruction more efficient and effective. My students and myself will benefit from her wise organization of these important strategies.

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  137. This is so exciting! I love the Reading Strategies Book and Jennifer S. Can’t wait to see what is in store with the Writing Strategies book!

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  139. Just like the Reading Strategies book, this Writing Strategies book looks to be such a smartly written resource for teachers. Reading the excerpts of the writing strategies so far actually inspires me to write more myself, to put myself in the shoes of my students and live a more writerly life. Looking forward to this book’s publication and release!

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  146. Your reading strategies book has made a tremendous impact on the way I teach reading to my kindergartners. They are understanding strategies and applying them daily. I’m excited about your writing book!

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  147. I would love to have this book and after I retire next year I would gift it to another teacher. 🙂 I’m already using the Reading Strategy book.

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  149. I’m happy to see this book glowingly reviewed as I’ve already preordered and am looking forward to using it with teachers and students.

    Can’t wait to get it in the mail!

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  150. I can’t wait to see this book and make connections with The Reading Strategies book. I am in the process of moving back into Writing Workshop and this would be so helpful!

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  152. I just told my colleague about this book yesterday! The Reading Strategies book has not only transformed my conferencing with individual students but has also helped with whole class mini-lessons. I can’t wait to see what the Writing Strategies book will do to help me empower students during Writer’s Workshop!

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  158. This next book is exactly what I need. We purchased a Basel reading program that has a weak writing component so I want to get our district to purchase this book like they did with the Reading Strategies Book. I can share a copy with our Director.

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  159. Thank you for this review! It is what I expected to hear regarding Seravallo’s new Writing book. I have been teaching out of Seravallo’s reading strategies book since August and most eapeciallyenjoy her helpful anchor charts. I look forward to getting my hands on this new book soon. Thanks again, from a 4th grade teacher in GA.

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  160. Love the review and preview of the Writing Strategies Book! I love the goals for each Chapter!!! Im a Literacy Specialist for the SC State Dept of Ed, and I train 20 Reading Coaches in two school Districts. I bought the Reading Stratgies book and then gues who bought one in every school?! Then teachers purchased it too!
    We are waiting for the Writing Strategies book to make its arrival!!!
    Thank you for sharing your enthusiasm! I’m going to share mine too:)))

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  171. First, thank you for providing this give away for the Writing Strategies Book! The Reading Strategies Book has fueled our reading instruction to meet students reading needs and I firmly believe the Writing Strategies will do the the Sam. Thank you!!

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  172. Super excited to have a new resource for writing instruction. If it is structured like The Reading Strategies Book I know it will become a classic … essential. I love the colorful structure … very teacher friendly!

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  173. Just back from the Teachers College Coaching Writing Institute and feeling that this book would be an enormous help. Thank you, Jennifer Serravallo, for putting it together!

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  174. I love the Reading Strategies book and have recommended it to all my teacher friends. The way Jennifer organizes the minilessons is so easy and straightforward.

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  177. I am a huge fan of the Reading Strategies book. I am excited to see the Writing Strategies book. I expect it to be just as wonderful!

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  180. I’m so excited to get my hands on this book! My principal purchased Reading Staregies for our staff and we are in the process of an indepth book study. I’m hoping we can do the same with this book!

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  184. We are still so in love with The Reading strategies book that I can’t imagine having a whole new resource to be equally excited about. Your review makes me feel like Christmas morning is coming again…only in February!!

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  185. The Reading Strategies Book is a fantastic resource and I was so excited when I learned that Jennifer Serravallo was writing a Writing Strategies book. Thanks for much for the preview!

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  190. I love they way you have organized the book and give so many examples for teachers. I am very fond of the lesson language as a tool for new teachers or teachers that are changing the way they teach! I can’t wait to get this into my hands and as a copy for our Dept. Resource Library. Thank you for all of your hard work!

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  194. I have been using The Reading Strategies Book for some time now, and it has to be my all time favorite resource for reading instruction. So teacher friendly! I have been waiting on pins and needles for February’s release of The Writing Strategies Book, and now it is around the corner. Yippee!

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  196. I’ve been hearing this book for so long & I can’t wait to get a copy! I love and use the Reading Strategies book all the time.

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  199. I can’t wait to use this book! I’ve already purchased one via pre-order. If I win this one I plan to gift it to colleague and mentor of mine! I will definitely use this book on a regular basis. Thanks for putting your time and energy into writing it!

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  201. Since The Reading Strategies Book is a must have on every reading teachers’ shelf, then I am confident that The Writing Strategies Book will warrant a space as well! Jennifer’s organization of content and goals provides teachers an invaluable resource for literacy instruction right at their fingertips! I can’t wait to get my hands on The Writing Book!

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  204. I am so excited for this book! I am an owner of the Reading Strategies book and love the format and organization and as sure this book will be just as fantastic.

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  210. I am truly excited that Jennifer is sharing this amazing strategies that will help us serve our young writers better. Can’t wait to have a copy in my hands and implement them in my classroom.

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  211. The reading strategies book is my go-to for third grade strategy groups and lessons. I cannot wait to use the writing strategies book too. It looks incredible!

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  212. The reading strategies book is my go-to for third grade strategy groups and lesson. I cannot wait to use the writing strategies book too. It looks incredible!

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  213. Thank you for sharing your review and how you use it! I love the reading strategies book, it has changed the way that I teach reading in my classroom. I am super excited that Jennifer is coming out with a writing version. This will definitely be on my must have list!

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    1. I too love Jennifer Servallo and the many suggestions she gives on writing. I have been eagerly waiting for the arrival for the writing book because I found her reading strategy book to be a useful book to my daily guided reading lessons. I am hoping her writing strategy book can help to give me more confidence in my writing instruction. Thanks so much for offering this free giveaway. My e-mail is Gldnpups4me@aol.com

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  216. I can’t wait to get my hands on this book!! My Reading Strategies book is a great companion to the Reading Units of Study. I know this one will be an awesome resource too!!

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  225. I have preordered this book and can’t wait to read it. After teaching 1st grade for many years, I moved to 5th grade. Looking forward to learning new writing strategies.

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  240. I am so excited for this book! Writing is a subject I struggle to teach with my ELLs and is one of my current personal goals to improve my teaching in especially since I am pursuing my National Boards certification! I know this book would help me tremendously!

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  241. Can’t wait to get this book! I’m going to hear Jen speak at Rutgers in February and I’m so excited to hear what she has to say 💕

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  250. Jennifer’s Reading Strategies book is my current “go to” book for the ease of use and practical minilessons shared. I’m excited to get my hands on her Writing Strategies book. Thanks for the reciew

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  252. I can’t wait to get my hands on this book! I work primarily with ELLs and know that the visuals in this book is what our students need!

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  253. I am so excited about this new release. The Reading Strategies book has been my favorite resource. I know this book will enhance my writing instruction!

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  255. I am looking forward to using the Writing Strategies book. I like what I see so far. We are planning to order it for every teacher on our campus

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  256. As a middle grades educator, the reading strategies book was a life line for implementing readers workshop and small group instruction. It’s evident that the writing strategies will enhance my ability to teach reading and writing. I love the idea of combining strategies and not choosing genre or process, but focusing on goals! I can’t wait for this resource.
    -Mrs. A

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  258. I LOVE the reading strategies book and can’t wait to get this one! I teach in a Title 1 school and have an extremely diverse group of learners. The reading book helps me to differentiate instruction based on each students individual needs and I can’t wait to use this book to help with my writing instruction!

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  259. Please oh please I would love to win a copy of this book!!!! The Reading Strategies book is AH-MAZING, I can only imagine the writing one will be just as great!

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  260. What a terrific teaser for this book!
    It would be a boon to our teachers as they work to connect reading to writing and vice versa.

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  268. Using the Reading Strategies Book has been a wonderful tool to use in my instruction. With such varied writers in my classroom I’m sure this tool would also be helpful for differentiation and setting goals for my writers.

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  269. Thanks so much for your review! I already have particular kiddos in mind for different strategies you mention here and units of study that will be greatly enhanced! Thanks for this great opportunity!

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  270. I absolutely love your posts! I cannot wait to get the Writing Strategies book!! I love Jennifer Serravallo! I work for an awesome district that brought her for a workshop and meeting her in person was absolutely wonderful. She is smart, kind, funny, and personable. I would LOVE to win this book!!

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  271. I can not wait to get my hands on this book! The reading strategies book offered so many ways to reach students where they were. I can’t wait to have this resource for writing now!

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  277. Love The Reading Stratrgies book and I’m so excited for The Writing Strategies book! I’m anxious to create more meaningful lessons for my kindergarteners and help them grow as writers! Thank you for sharing this sneak peek!

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  282. Excited to be able to use your new book as a resource for our writing curriculum. I love your reading strategies book and am so excited that you have written a book to help with writing too.

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  284. Ahhhh! I love Jen saravello’s reading strategies book! I pass mine around to everyone at my district! Is great for any grade. I’m so excited for her writing strategies to be released! I totally agree with you that anchor charts are so crucial! I love that she gives tons of examples!

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  285. I love the reading strategies book. I used it to plan my readers toolkits for conferences and small group. I am SO excited for the writers book to come out.

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  295. I’m so excited for the Writing Strategies Book to be released! I love the Reading Strategies Book….. As it’s SO helpful to meet ALL the varying needs of my students!! Thank you Ms. Serravallo!!!

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  296. How exciting! I have The Reading Strategies book and have used it over and over again. Many teachers at my school have also purchased that book to support their reading practices. Now the writing strategies book will support us too! Can’t wait!

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  298. This site inspires me each and every day. You tap into the exact things I experience as a teacher and offer hands on ideas to help me get over hurdles in my reading and writing workshops. I would LOVE a copy of his book!!!!

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  304. I immediately bought the reading book and loved how it has allowed me to help students grow as readers. I can’t wait to flip through the pages of the writing strategies book and find jewels that I can use to help my students grow at writing. I am excited to see that the layout is just like the reading strategies book. It is extremely user friendly and easy to navigate.

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  306. Thank you so much for providing pictures with your ideas and connecting it all to practical easier to teach ways. I have only been reading your posts for a short time, yet I have gleaned so many ideas. My team and I are each ordering the Reading Strategies book after my principal bought one for each grade level! I can’t wait till it comes.
    Knowing that there’s a writing one is a huge relief for me because it is a real struggle for me to teach. There is so much information in each writing lesson from the Units of Writing – I’m a 3rd grade teacher, that I feel like I’m floundering between both the reading and the writing. At least with the reading, it feels more cohesive. Thank you for giving us a snippet of the Writing Resources book and offering this give away.

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  309. This book along with The Reading Strategies Book is a “must have” for any teacher who teaches ELA. So excited to get a copy for my own professional use and to share with all of the teachers I work with.

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  310. Several teachers and I saw Jen in suburban Chicago a few weeks ago. To say that it was inspiring is a drastic understatement. Almost all teachers in our district have The Reading Strategies book. We are looking forward to The Writing Strategies book. From the example pages you shared, I admire the user/friendliness step- by-step procedures. I also like the distinction between skills and strategies that Jen made in her workshop and, from what I can see, in her new book. I read your blog regularly and have learned so much. Thank you for sharing with us

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  313. Despite teaching for 43 years, I REALLY need this book. I love teaching advanced math and reading, but need help in the teaching of writing (recently added to my load!). This Writing Book would be a big help!

    dclark@aos92.org

    On Sat, Jan 28, 2017 at 5:31 AM, TWO WRITING TEACHERS wrote:

    > Betsy Hubbard posted: “As teachers, we are always looking for something to > make our lives a little easier. I remember when The Reading Strategies Book > first hit shelves and colleagues were buzzing. We appreciated the depth of > strategies while also understanding that the author,” >

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  314. I am a fourth-grade reading and writing teacher and can say without hesitation the reading version of this book is one of the best resources available to both beginning and veteran teachers — effective strategies presented in a user-friendly format. I cannot wait to get my hands on the writing version!

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  322. This looks like a practical, visual help for the struggling writers I work with daily in intervention settings! Thank you for the overview!

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  323. As a fourth grade teacher, I loved the simple
    and clear way the book presents how to work writing.

    Giving specific strategies to work with the students make Writing more appealing to them.

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  330. Love the Reading Strategies book! Can’t wait to read and use the Writing Strategies book.
    I’m particularly interested in the engagement and elaboration chapters.

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  331. Thank you for the concise and well written article. I have the Reading Strategies book which I love. From the article, it seems Writing Strategies will improve my writing program through focused goals. Can’t wait to read it!

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  332. Our whole school started using The Reading Strategies book this year. I love the organization of Serravallo’s book and the strategies are very student friendly. I’m excited to see what her writing book has in store!

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  333. Thank you Jennifer! This new writing resource will both inspire teachers and be a beacon for their writing instruction. The many wonderful and authentic examples are invaluable!

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  335. My colleagues and I LOVE the Reading Strategies book and can’t wait to get our hands on the writing one! Thank you for helping us to improve the instruction we deliver to our students!

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  336. What I’m looking forward to most about this book is the quick turn around time from receiving it to growing my instruction . Just as I experienced with The RSB, as soon as I read the introductory pages of The WSB prior to the goals, I can search for the strategies I haven’t thought of to address my students’ needs, then use them right away. No reading through a tome necessary. The RSB has grown my confidence as a teacher, because of the results I see with the children. Anticipating the same with The WSB, I’m so excited to feel more confident in writing instruction!

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  339. I can’t wait to check this out! I have and use my Reading Strategies copy awesome and I’m sure I’ll do the same with thi for writing! Jennifer was my break out session leader at TC and she is amazing! This sounds like it is just as amazing and very easy to use like Reading Strategies!

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  341. I cannot wait to get my hands on this book. I agree with the other posts that The Reading Strategies book is so helpful. It’s color coded for easy reference and can be used to plan small groups or even referenced during the day for those on the spot teaching moments. I love how it includes pictures of anchor charts which can be used for the whole class or can be recreated as student artifacts to leave after conferencing so students can remember their writing goals. I look forward to the release of this new book!

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  343. I’m a literacy specialist and coach at my district and I have used The Reading Strategies book with my teachers to support reading instruction. I would love to look at the new book regarding writing as that is our big focus this year!

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  346. Jennifer Serravallo has inspired us so many times along our teaching journey. I can’t wait to see what she’s done this time. Thank you for making our teaching journey a little easier!

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  347. I absolutely love what I see and can’t wait to get my hands on this book. It’s such a great all-around resource. You can use it to plan for small group instruction or use it to grab while the kiddos are there for a quick reference. I love that it includes pictures sample charts which can be used for whole group or put on smaller paper as artifacts to leave for the students to reference too. I also love that it’s color coded for easy reference!

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  349. I am in love with your reading strategies book and can’t wait to get my hands on this one! Thank you for leading the way and making teaching writers so much easier! Can’t wait to get my copy bound!

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  354. Love the reading strategies book – I use it for group lessons, small groups, and even in individual conferencing and instruction. I’m sure the writing strategies book will be just as useful!

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  356. Since I love the Reading Strategies book, I was so excited to learn about the writing strategies companion. Every idea Jen presents is well thought out and immediately usable. Thanks, Jen, for helping to make me a better writing teacher.

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  359. We have all been waiting for this book, and now it’s (almost) finally here. I can’t wait for these strategies to help guide my small groups and conferences with writers!

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  361. What a great idea for a book! I think this will be an invaluable tool because it seems to focus on the areas most writers struggle with (I.e. Elaboration). I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy!

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  364. Cannot wait to get my hands on this book! I love Jennifer Serravallo! The Reading Strategies book has been so informative and I’m excited to hear that this one is set up in a similar way.

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  366. I have watched our writing coach use this book in her training, but I have yet to get a copy for myself. I have observed the power of book and would enjoy owning my own copy.

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  367. I’ve been dreaming of this book since I got my hands on The Reading Strategies book! I can’t wait to add this as a tool in my teaching!

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  369. Writing is so hard to teach because so much of what we do is internal and sometimes it is difficult to show this thinking! I can’t wait to get my hands on this book!

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  372. Huge fan of the Reading Strategies book which is my go to teachers manual for reading instruction. I love the goals and how they are structured and would put this to use immediately for my 4th grade writers!

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  375. would love to get my hands on the writing strategies book, I can’t wait to strengthen my writing classes for those students that need that extra boost!

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  377. As a young teacher, I use my reading strategies book all the time. I’m constantly working on improving my writing workshop. This book would be an awesome tool for me!

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  379. I LOVE the Reading Strategies book. It has been so helpful in my work as a coach and to model ways to use the information with students. I expect the Writing Strategies book to be equally wonderful!

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  380. I am so looking forward to this resource! I have many of Jennifer Serravallo’s other professional resources and can’t wait to have this one too!

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  381. I have used, and shared, The Reading Strategies book with other teachers. It is so easy, and sets the students up for success. I cannot wait to have a writing guide that is just as good, and not daunting to use!

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  385. As a special educator and teacher of 8th grade reluctant writers, this book sounds like it could inspire improved writing instruction! Pick me!

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  387. I also have The Reading Strategies book and would love this companion book. Always looking for ways to improve teaching and learning for my students. Plan on buying the book even if I don’t win. Will Heinemann offer free shipping?

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  392. I can’t wait for this book to come out. I LOVE the Reading Strategies book and got my whole staff hooked on it. I have already preordered a copy per grade level of the Writing Strategies book and I know I will need more copies. Thank you for sharing this preview!

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  394. Really looking forward to this new book of Jen’s. When I need help with something in my teaching of reading, I find more and more that I’m turning to the Reading Strategies book. I can imagine doing the same thing with the Writing Strategies book. Think it will be a great companion to TCRWP’s Units of Study.
    Thanks for a great review/overview/preview.

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  397. I’m so excited for this book to come out. I LOVE the Reading Strategies book and hooked my whole staff on it. I have already pre-ordered a single copy of the Writing Strategies book for each grade level but I know I’ll need to be buying more copies once they see it. Thanks for sharing this preview!

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  402. I recently graduated and am in the process of looking for my first teaching job. My mentor teacher for student teaching gave me a copy of The Reading Strategies Book (which I love by the way!). The Writing Strategies Book looks like it will be a great resource to add to my collect of books!

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  403. I also love that she starts with Talk as you Draw! I teach kinders and always start with story telling before we begin putting words on the page. This book sounds like it would blend well with what I do.

    Liked by 1 person

  404. The Reading Strategies Book has been pivotal in helping guide our teachers through the reading Units of Study. Being able to have a go-to guide to help students show their reading thinking has been invaluable. Our district has been a buzz regarding The Writing Strategies Book as we anxiously anticipate its release. As we continue our work in implementing the writing Units of Study, I know this will be foundational in guiding teachers to a greater vision. Thank you for your work, Jennifer, and I can’t wait to get my hands on this text whether I win it or not!

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  405. Can’t wait for this book! I have loved the reading strategies book and use it quite a bit. Looking forward to incorporating some of these strategies into my writing work.

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  406. The Reading Strategies Book has been pivotal in helping guide our teachers through the reading Units of Study. Being able to have a go-to guide to help students show their reading thinking has been invaluable. Our district has been a buzz regarding The Writing Strategies Book as we anxiously anticipate its release. As we continue our work in implementing the writing Units of Study, I know this will be foundational in guiding teachers to a greater vision. Thank you for your work, Jennifer, and I can’t wait to get my hands on this text whether I win it or not!

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  408. This is exciting! The Reading Strategies book is so helpful for every learner and I look forward to using the Writing Strategies book as well! Thanks for the preview!

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  410. I have been taking a webinar series through Heinemann about The Reading Strategies. I can’t wait to have the Writing Strategies as a resource too! 😊 I teach a combined 2nd/3rd grade classroom, which can be challenging with writing, and I think this book will help me blend the differences between the two grade levels.

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  411. I just brought the Reading Strategies book home to read this weekend! I am a first year teacher, and begged my principal to get our team a copy. So excited there will be a Writing Strategies book as well!

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  413. So glad that she has taken the time to provide such a valuable book for all writing teachers. I no longer will have to scour through all my different resources and instead use the time given back to internalize lessons and support students to work to the best of their ability. My nerd-heart is so happy for this!,

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  414. I know The Writing Strategies Book is going to do wonders for my lessons to help students grow in their abilities. I struggle often with finding the best strategy to teach to small groups that need greater assistance.

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  418. This book could not have arrived at a better time in my career. Teaching writing is the area of instruction I struggle with the most! I am not a fluent writer. It takes my so much longer than others to just write an email (or a comment… ha, ha, ha). I was fortunate enough that while in high school to have a wonderful English teacher who recognized my struggle and took me under her wing. She facilitated my understanding of how to scaffold my approach to a writing task. She helped me to realize that there are many routes to success and although reaching my goal may take me longer, I grow and become stronger with each challenge undertaken. She taught me that we learn from our mistakes and helped me to view mistakes as learning opportunities. With her help and support, I began to understand that learning like life is a unique and individual experience where as long as you persevere, you have not failed. My fingers are crossed that my number is selected to win the book. THANK YOU for this opportunity!

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  420. The Reading Strategies book has been a tremendous resource for my work with strategy groups and conferencing. I can’t wait to get go going with the writing book. ❤️🎉🗒

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  421. Your overview made me even more excited to get this book! I love how the strategies help so much with differentiating for our students, and they are fun to teach! Thank you for the opportunity.

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  422. Can’t wait for this book! Pulling groups has been a challenge for me- time wise. This will save time helping pull out resources quickly for my small groups!

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  435. I am excited to read this book! Her reading strategies is a wonderful book, and I’m hoping to get my principal to purchase copies of both books for each grade level.

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  436. As always can rely on Two Writing Teachers to keep us abreast of new ideas.
    Love that they nod to other professionals in the subject area so we build together and stronger. As a teacher of writing I appreciate the oppprtunity to develop my own skills.

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  438. I have the reading strategies book and love it. I am going to see Jen at RU – she is giving a conference. I just can’t wait! Teachers are always looking for how to books and Jen has nailed it! Thank you for highlighting her book.

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  442. I love Serravallo’s Reading Strategies book and use it all the time in my classroom. Such a useful resource. Now, the Writing Strategies book! I’m so excited!!

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  446. I have just started searching for a a faculty summer book study text–this could be exactly what I am looking for! My fingers are crossed starting right now!

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  449. The RS book has been transformational in making learning visible for my students. I anticipate the WS will do the same for them in writing. I appreciate this blog post and would love to win a book.

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  451. Would love to add this resource to my professional library! Being an intervention teacher, I am always in search of new ideas to help kids!

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  454. Love Jennifer Serravallo’s Reading Strategies Book and use it all the time for literacy coaching and RTI. Can’t wait to get my hands on her Writing Strategies book!

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  462. Thank you for the opportunity to win this resource! I have Jennifer’s reading book and find it invaluable! I have it on my “to be bought” list, but winning it would be wonderful!

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  467. Thanks ao much for this! I am new to first grade after teaching ELA in 6th for over 20 years. I feel I know what to do, just not how to so it with these little ones. I love the mix and match idea and just getting to the basics. This helped with an idea for some animal frienda writing next week! Kderose@dawson.k12.ga.us

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  482. Above all – infuse writing instruction with a love of the craft! Writing is hard work – why would kids (or adults!) want to do it if it isn’t meaningful to them? I am looking forward to checking out Jennifer’s strategies. It’s sure to help teachers and students grow together as writers.

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  483. I teach high school English and this would be a godsend for me because they come in not having a clue how to write. They have to pass the end of course test twice which includes writing. I try to cram eight years of writing into one. This book provides a clear road map I can use to accomplish this goal.

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  484. A friend and I already have plans to meet for coffee as soon as we get our copy of this book! I love the Reading Strategies book and refer to it weekly as I plan for small groups. I can’t wait to get my hands on this one.

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  487. I love the Reading Strategies Book! If this one provides the same support for writing, I can’t wait to crack it open and start using it. Thanks for the great post!

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  490. This is so exciting! I can’t wait for this book to come out! I love how she organized the book l by focusing on skills. I’m about to teach a unit on adapting folktales and fairytales and I bet there are some great nuggets in there that would support my students in some new ways. I love the charts you all created and built for your realistic fiction unit.

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  492. I have the reading strategies book and love using it with my guided reading groups. So excited about the writing strategies! Jen is awesome!

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  494. My school is going through the process of a paradigm shift with literacy. It’s been a tough road, at times, but I think we are on the right track. We’ve adored the Reading Strategies book and used it in classrooms across all grade levels and even with ESOL and RTI. As the Writing Interventionist, it’s been tough to help teachers with teaching writing. Writing is just a hard subject to teach. I am beyond excited to have a resource from Jennifer. If it’s even half as good as the Reading book, it’ll be amazing!

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  495. I am SO excited for this resource. The decision to organize the text into goals is reflective of and honors the cycles and processes of all writers. Thanks for posting tangible examples of your implementation of it. TRS book is a go-to for me, and I feel confident this will be the same.

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  497. I was excited room see that you reviewed this book! It has been on my list of books to buy, and you just fanned the flames! I especially liked the page that showed how a teacher might use this in a typical month since that’she something I find hard to wrap my head around.

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  498. I have been waiting for this book release for months. The Reading Strategies book has been so impactful for my students, I can’t wait to see how we can apply this new book. Super Excited.

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  500. I love to use Serravallo’s Readingq Strategies book. I know this one won’t disappoint either. Great strategies that work for our writers and teacher friendly! Win, win.

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  504. Hi Betsy! The Reading Strategies Book is a treasure trove and, after reading your post, I’m even more excited about its writing companion.

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  512. I cannot wait to get my hands on this wonderful resource! I wonder if she’ll expand her podcasts of Teachers Ask Jennifer Serravallo to include writing questions?

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  515. I love having a menu of “Reading Strategies” at my fingertips. Adding a second course of “Writing Strategies” would be wonderful!

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    1. Thank you Betsy for a great overview. The book makes learning visible and it connects reading and writing beautifully. Relevance, precision, and engagement- all there for optimum learning opportunities. Thank you for your reflection and keep writing.

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