Chapter 2: Teaching the Reading and Writing Processes
I: Overview
The goal of both reading and writing is to construct meaning. Chapter 2 examines the bond
between these two processes and the ways in which effective teachers guide students in the
reading and writing processes.
Chapter 2 Objectives
After reading chapter 2, students should be able to:
Chapter 2 Outline
Vignette: Mrs. Goodman’s Students Read The Giver
Introduction
THE READING PROCESS
• Stage 1: Prereading
THE WRITING PROCESS
• Stage 1: Prewriting
• Stage 2: Drafting
• Stage 3: Revising
II. Teaching Suggestions
Preview Questions
Chapter 2 addresses the relationship between reading and writing. As the class begins a study of
chapter 2, encourage the students to discuss the questions below.
1. Ask the college students to consider and discuss the following statement found in chapter
2. Writing evokes strong feelings. Among your college students you will find some who enjoy
writing, keep a journal, and share poems and stories with friends. There may be others who
feel inadequate as writers and do not enjoy the process. Begin the study of chapter 2 by
inviting your students to share their feelings on writing. Ask your college students to discuss
the questions below.
Focus Questions
Pre-service teachers should consider the questions below as they read chapter 2.
1. What are the stages in the reading process?
2. What are the stages in the writing process?
3. How are the two processes alike?
Class Activities
1. Read Alouds New teachers often minimize the importance and benefits of reading aloud to
students who are able to read independently. By reading aloud, however, teachers provide
their students with a fluent model of oral reading and build listening skills and vocabulary.
discuss during the prereading stage? How could the children respond to the story? Provide
time for each group to share their read aloud activity with the entire class.
2. The Writing Process Bring rough drafts of stories written by elementary students to the
college classroom. Ask the college students to work in groups to examine the writing
After Class Activities
Reading Logs
Ask your college students to visit elementary classrooms in which the students keep reading
Buddy Reading
Buddy Reading can be successful when the teacher has prepared the students and when the
children have been paired appropriately. Ask your college students to interview an elementary
III. Resources
Related Readings
Encourage students to explore the topics presented in chapter 2 in more depth by reading the
professional literature listed below.
Online Resources
International Reading Association (IRA)
The website of the International Reading Association provides current, accurate information for
National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE)
Read Write Think
The Read Write Think website provides peer-reviewed, standards-based lesson plans and free