Revision Decisions: Talking Through Sentences and Beyond (Paperback)
Description
Revisions can be confusing and difficult for students; many young writers believe the process is just looking for grammatical errors, but it is so much more. In Revision Decisions: Talking Through Sentences and Beyond, authors Jeff Anderson and Deborah Dean create a book to help teachers simplify the revision process and start building students' writing and reading skills.
In this book, Anderson and Dean use mentor texts to show the myriad possibilities that exist for revision. You will also find:
- How students find the "why" by talking through revisions during group and classroom discussions
- Easy-to-follow lessons and exercises to lead student discourse during rewrites and make challenging writing processes accessible
- Teacher Tips to help apply new knowledge and develop both the writer and the writing
- Reading and writing practices that keep the goals of Common Core and other standards in mind
The noted language arts teacher James Britton once said that good writing “floats on a sea of talk.” Revision Decisions supports those genuine conversations we naturally have as readers and writers, leading the way to the essential goal of making meaning.
About the Author
For the past 25 years, Jeff has worked with writers and teachers of grades, K-12, inspiring them about the power and joy of the writing process. He has written four books for Stenhouse Publishers: Mechanically Inclined, Everyday Editing, 10 Things Every Writer Needs to Know and his latest book with Dr. Deborah Dean of BYU Revision Decisions: Talking Through Sentences and Beyond (November 2014). He also has two middle grade novels, Zack Delacruz: Me and My Big Mouth (Sterling, 2015) and Zack Delacruz: Just My Luck (Sterling, October 2016).
Jeff grew up in Austin, where he learned to love writing through journaling, a bit of positive reinforcement, and writing stories and dramas to entertain his friends on the phone. He wanted to become a teacher early on, but his parents tried to convince him otherwise. "They wanted me to make more money." During an internship visit to a local elementary classroom, he made up his mind. "When I saw those curious eyes, kids raising their hands, asking questions, I lost all track of time and from that moment on, I was a teacher. I want to create environments that feel safe for learners at the elementary, middle, and university levels and during professional development for teachers. Working together we figure out things, surprise each other, find our strengths, and experience the joy it is to be a learner and teacher. We are students and teachers to each other."
Jeff specializes in writing, revision, and grammar. "I love the ability to spark curiosity and creativity and to support students in finding their voices. That's pure joy." When it comes to his own professional development, he wants to explore things that have meaning to him in the classroom. "I want to find out things I didn't know, be affirmed or reminded of what I do know, and be energized by thinking and action, reflection and application. Since that's what I want, that's what I give teachers. Something they can take, shape, and make their own. Something they can use right now."
Jeff's first book Mechanically Inclined, came to life from what he didn't know and what he needed to know. "I read, tried things out, played in my head and in my classroom, and read some more, permutating and refining. I thought about what worked and what didn't, as well as what sound pedagogical principles are used in other disciplines."
His other books also came from his work in his own classrooms and those across the United States. The invitational process Everyday Editing is built around was first shared in workshops until teachers wanted another book on grammar. 10 Things was Jeff's chance to share what his experience had taught him are the essential things every writer needs to know and be able to do. In his first collaboration, Jeff and Debbie came together to tackle a sentence combining and its larger effects on revision and writing.
In his free time, Jeff walks his dogs Carl and Paisley or sits on the deck with his partner Terry. When he's not doing that he reads middle grade novels and his new addiction is nonfiction.
Deborah Dean taught junior high and high school in Washington before beginning her work with pre-service teachers at Brigham Young University. She always enjoyed teaching writing and helping her students discover themselves as writers.
Deborah says that she became a teacher because she wanted to share her passion for reading and writing. "I wanted to help students find abilities they didn't know they had and interests they might not investigate without me encouraging them in those interests."
She received her bachelor's degree in English from Brigham Young University, her M.Ed. degree from City University (Seattle) and her Ed.D. degree from Seattle Pacific University.
She currently works with teachers and directs the Central Utah Writing Project.
Praise For…
“Revision Decisions will provide teachers with much-needed tools to facilitate the teaching of revision in a way that will make it stick with their students. Pick this one up and add it to
your reading stack—you will be glad you did (and so will your students)!” — Texas Voices