Kelly Boswell has many years of experience in education as a classroom teacher, literacy coach, and district literacy specialist. She is passionate about seeing young readers and writers blossom and grow into independent learners. She is the coauthor of Solutions for Reading Comprehension and Crafting Nonfiction and has recently published a series of nonfiction books for children with Capstone. Kelly lives in Montana with her husband and two young sons.
...fills a gap in teachers' writing instruction that few authors
have even recognized: the importance of teacher modeling as a
critical component in helping students to become independent
writers. . . .Kelly delivers her wisdom in such an easy,
conversational manner that it's like you're sharing a cup of tea
alongside someone who just happens to know a whole lot about the
teaching of writing, especially the fine art of modeling for
aspiring writers. Read and learn and enjoy!-- "Nancy Boyles,
author"
...reveals how the educational of modeling can be a valuable tool
in teaching students how to write. When the teacher thinks aloud
and crafts a piece of writing in front of his or her students, it
reveals possibilities and creative strategies that students can
apply to their own works. Author Kelly Boswell has extensive
experience as a classroom teacher and literary coach; she shares
her insights into making one's thought processes transparent, the
skills that all aspiring writers need, the strong combination of
mentors and modeling, and much more. A wealth of sample lessons
round out this superb resource especially recommended for creative
writing and other literary instructors.-- "Midwest Book Review, the
Education Shelf"
As students watch an adult writer think, talk, and write, they
develop the skills to create polished, purposeful writing. This
book shows you how to put modeling to work in your grades K-5
classroom.-- "Learning Magazine, Tools of the Trade"
Boswell's goal in this book is to advocate for cognitive and
physical modeling as a potent strategy for teaching writing in the
elementary grades. She likens the teaching of writing to the
teaching of other skills. . . .The book has a number of examples of
practice. Particularly helpful are the portions that offer explicit
language for modeling. Though no teacher will likely use these
verbatim, it is very helpful to see the details of this instruction
drawn out so clearly. . . .This book is a useful tool for new and
experienced elementary teachers.-- "Illinois Reading Council
Journal"
I have had the pleasure of working with Kelly for the past few
years as my district began a renewed focused on nonfiction writing
across the curriculum. My teachers are always asking about Kelly's
next visit. They are excited, energized, and confident after each
of Kelly's modeled lessons. As I read through Write This Way How
Modeling Transforms the Writing Classroom, I felt like Kelly was
back in one of my classrooms and I was watching a master at work.
This book is Kelly's voice as she models for my students and
teachers. Kelly does not just write about modeling writing for
children, she lives and breathes it in each of the lessons she
teaches.-- "Renee Sacco, Literacy Coach, Burlington,
Massachusetts"
I purchased this book Friday night and read half of it by Saturday
morning! I can't wait to share it with teachers!-- "Jenny E.
McGurk, Reading Instructional Coach, O.P. Earle Elementary
School"
It's a model of what good teaching looks like with regard to
writing instruction. The perfect combination of poignancy through
personal stories, pedagogy rich through the citations, quotes, and
connections, and practical - what will make it a transformative
book for teachers. Kelly has written what could give writing
instruction the nudge (or even a shove) it needs. She's made
modeling practical and something that no one could deny trying for
that classroom makeover that could help students be successful
writers.-- "Eliza Anne Sorte-Thomas, Director, Northwest Montana
Educational Cooperative"
Kelly explains in such a sincere way how to help students become
readers, writers and thinkers. Elements of best practice, weaved
with real classroom and life experiences are evident in every
chapter. Teachers and instructional leaders in my district have
been inspired by her genuine enthusiasm. In "Write This Way"
Kelly's passionate voice shines through. This is an important book
which educators will return to again and again.-- "Tina Pletan,
Elementary Literacy Staff Developer, Bismarck Public Schools"
Kelly passionately and humorously addresses common questions and
concerns of teachers like me as we begin to model our thinking in
front of students. She masterfully unfolds the art of modeled
writing, while at the same time providing sound evidence of the
effectiveness of this practice through delightful real-life
experiences. This book reads like a novel and left me encouraged
and ready to implement modeling of writing on a daily basis.--
"Tamara Ward, Grades 5-6 Teacher, Creston Elementary School,
Kalispell, Montana"
Kelly Boswell doesn't just tell us how to transform writing through
modeling - she SHOWS us by opening an instructional window to
illuminate the thinking process that leads to this transformation.
. . .Kelly demonstrates how to make children privy to the writing
process through explicit models that build a foundation of learning
so we can make students active participants in writing experiences
that allow them to apply that foundation.-- "Dr. Mary Howard,
author of RTI from All Sides: What Every Teacher Needs to Know"
Kelly's honest, humorous and compassionate approach to instruction
reminds us all of the joy and reason we embarked upon this
incredible teaching journey. She is such an inspiration!-- "Sarah
Dunkin, Title I Coordinator/Elementary Literacy Support, Beaverton,
Oregon"
Outstanding! Kelly's lifted an essential component of writing
instruction that is often overlooked-modeled writing. She clearly
demonstrated the what, why, and how of modeled writing. The
authentic examples and encouragement Kelly provides offer teachers
the tools they need, while lifting confidence, in order to
intentionally devote more attention to modeled writing.-- "Kelly
Davis, Author, Consultant, Instructional Team Leader"
Reading this book is like sitting down and having a conversation
with Boswell because she anticipates and answers the questions that
teachers will have about modeling. As a former classroom teacher,
she recognizes and appreciates that modeling is a challenging part
of teaching writing and can seem intimidating. Her credibility is
further enhanced by the description of her own evolution as a
writing teacher. She is comfortable discussing the teaching issues
that she has struggled with over the years, and her candid attitude
is appealing. The chapter in which Boswell recounts what it was
like to be a beginning teacher who did not know how to teach
writing is a story that many teachers will appreciate. Boswell has
written a book that is a valuable resource for all teachers,
whether they are new to the profession or established educators.
Write This Way: How Modeling Transforms The Writing Classroom is a
reference to keep close when planning writing instruction.--
"Middle Web"
This is a must-read for every teacher. It is insightful,
beautifully written, and extremely poignant at a time when the
Common Core Standards urge us to give students the tools for
writing for a variety of purposes in a multitude of forms. Kelly
provides us with the scaffolds to achieve these goals. In Chapter
3, Kelly shares "a little secret" and I'm going to let you in on a
secret as well. This book is a rare gem and one that I will
constantly revisit to elevate the impact of my own modeling. Kelly,
your message is clear: By becoming a constant and reflective writer
in front of my students, I am able to not only raise the quality of
their writing, but also their joy in picking up the pen and being
writers for life. Kelly, you're a master!-- "Tony Stead, Educator,
Internationally Known Literacy Specialist, and Author"
We know the value of teaching by example and of incorporating
strong mentor texts, but how do we avoid "writing like a student"
or presenting a model without showing what it took to get there?
These are just a few of the questions Kelly deftly answers in this
book, a guide for any teacher who wants to understand the modeling
process and incorporate it into his or her class. Your teaching and
your writing will be transformed after reading this book!--
"Lynnette Brent Maddox, co-author"
What a clear and authentic voice she has. She has used all the
writing authorities from the past to support her position and
paints a very convincing case for modeling writing.-- "Elaine
Weber, author of Reading to the Core and Guided Highlighted
Reading"
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