Language in Writing Instruction Enhancing Literacy in Grades 3-8

Accessible and engaging, this book offers a comfortable entry point to integrating language instruction in writing units in grades 3?8. A full understanding of language development is necessary for teaching writing in a successful and meaningful way. Applying a Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) approach, María Brisk embraces an educator?s perspective, breaks down the challenges of teaching language for non-linguists, and demonstrates how teachers can help students express their ideas and create cohesive texts.

With a focus on the needs of all students, including bilingual and English language learners, Brisk addresses topics necessary for successful language instruction, and moves beyond vocabulary and grammar to address meaning-making and genre. This book provides a wealth of tools and examples for practice and includes helpful instructional resources that teachers can return to time after time. Moving from theory to practice, this teacher-friendly text is a vital resource for courses in language education programs, in-service teacher-training seminars, and for pre-service and practicing English Language Arts (ELA) teachers who want to expand their teaching abilities and knowledge bases. This book features a sample unit and a reference list of instructional resources.

Chapter 1. Putting Language into Writing Instruction Matters: A Framework for Teaching

Chapter 2. Language to Develop the Topic

Chapter 3. Language to Express Complex Ideas

Chapter 4. Language to Connect with Audience

Chapter 5. Language that Makes a Text Come Together

Chapter 6. Language Instruction in the Context of Genre Pedagogy and Disciplinary Content

Instructional Resources

María Estela Brisk is Professor of Literacy and Language Education at Boston College, USA.