*In this wise, comforting, intimate book, Katie Ray takes her readers by the hand and brings us home to ourselves. "This is where ideas for teaching writing come from," she says, brushing aside the distracting clutter, quick fixes, and one-size-fits-all panaceas. She hands us a pen, a book, and a reminder of all that matters most. --Lucy Calkins, Founding Director, Teachers College Reading and Writing Project, Columbia University* Katie Ray goes to the heart of where good ideas for the teaching of good writing originate: from yourself and your own experience. As Katie shows, the most profound and effective curriculum can result from your own deep understanding of quality writing--what you know about writing through your own and others' writings and through your reading. And the best teaching can result from what you can wrap your heart and mind around and communicate to your students. Katie sprinkles special features throughout her book as helpful tips for thinking about your own writing workshop and curriculum development, including: - minilessons and "curriculum chunks" - "Thinking It Through" boxes with questions and things to try - "understandings" and strategies - notebook-keeping tips accompanied by Katie's own handwritten journal entries - transcripts of interviews with writers - references for further reading Follow Katie's example. Write like a teacher of writer. Read like a teacher of writing. Then teach from your own experience. And watch as you *and* your students flourish like never before. This description comes from the publisher.