Anderson, Carl (2000).
How's It Going? A Practical Guide to Conferring with Student Writers.
Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
A key element in developing successful student writers is the one-on-one conference between teacher and student. Carl Anderson, lead staff developer for the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project, has presented educators with a guide containing all the critical components for conducting student writing conferences and details for ensuring success. Written in a conversational style, this book discusses teacher and student conference roles, suggestions for integrating authors into the student writing process, the architecture and use of mini-lessons to address student needs and teach necessary skills, and points to consider in determining how and where to conduct and manage student conferences.
Each chapter begins with a personal story introducing the chapter topic. Teacher - student conversations, charts, diagrams, illustrations and actual student drafts are generously included throughout the text. Relevant references complete each chapter. An appendix of mentor texts, children's books particularly useful when conferring with student writers concludes the book.
Educators interested in enhancing or establishing student-writing conferences will benefit from the rich, concrete, and well-organized information contained in this work. The opportunity to observe the interactions of Carl Anderson with his students is both compelling and inspiring. Indeed, the stories themselves are enough to convince teachers that student writing conferences are an experience not to be missed. This book is recommended for teachers, pre-service teachers and those involved in teacher education programs.
Pages: 204
Price: $40.00 cloth, $18.50 paper
ISBN: 0-325-00224-X
Reviewed by Francine M. DeFranco, University of Connecticut
