1st Edition

Patterns of Power, Grades 1-5 Inviting Young Writers into the Conventions of Language

By Jeff Anderson, Whitney La Rocca Copyright 2017

    Author Jeff Anderson and literacy coach Whitney La Rocca lead a vibrant approach to grammar instruction in Patterns of Power, Grades 1-5: Inviting Young Writers into the Conventions of Language. Here, young, emergent writers are invited to notice the conventions of the English language and build off them in this inquiry-based approach to instructional grammar.

    The book comes with standards-aligned lessons that can be incorporated in 10 minutes a day. Patterns of Power’s responsive, invitational approach puts students in an involved role and has them explore and discuss the purpose and meaning of what they read. Students study short, authentic texts and are asked to share their findings out loud, engaging in rich conversations to make meaning. Inside you’ll find:

    • Ready-to-use lesson plan sets that include excerpts from authentic and diverse mentor texts curated for grades 1-5 and can be adapted over 5 grade levels
    • Real-life classroom examples, tips, and Power Notes gleaned from the authors’ experiences that can be applied to any level of writer
    • Resources, including a Patterns of Power Planning Guide and musical soundtracks, to use in classroom instruction or as handouts for student literacy notebooks

    Patterns of Power, Grades 1-5 provides a simple classroom routine that is structured in length and approach, but provides teachers flexibility in choosing the texts, allowing for numerous, diverse voices in the classroom. The practice helps students build cognitive recognition and provides a formative assessment for teachers on student progress. With these short lessons, students will grow their confidence and move beyond limitation to produce effortless writing in your class and beyond.

    The Patterns of Power series also includes Patterns of Power, Grades 6-8: Inviting Adolescent Writers into the Conventions of Language; Patterns of Power en Español, Grades 1-5: Inviting Bilingual Writers into the Conventions of Spanish; Patterns of Power, Grades 9-12: Teaching Grammar Through Reading and Writing and Patterns of Wonder, Grades PreK-1: Inviting Emergent Writers to Play with the Conventions of Language.

    Acknowledgments

    Introduction: Where Do Reading and Writing Meet?

    Part 1 Getting Started with the Patterns-of-Power Process

    1. Into Planning: What Do You Need to Do Before Teaching the Invitations?

    2. Into the Classroom: How Do You Teach Conventions with the Invitations Process?

    3. Into Application: How Do You Ensure Writers Apply What They Know?

    Part 2 Into the Patterns-of-Power Lesson Sets

    4. What Do Capital Letters Do?

    5. What Do Nouns Do?

    6. What Do Verbs Do?

    7. What Do Sentences Do?

    8. What Do End Marks Do?

    The Power of Pairs: Why Do Writers Use Pairs?

    9. What Do Apostrophes Do?

    10. What Do Pronouns Do?

    11. How Do Verbs and Nouns Agree?

    12. Which Punctuation Comes in Pairs?

    13. What Do Adjectives Do?

    14. What Do Comparatives and Superlatives Do?

    15. What Do Adverbs Do?

    16. What Do Prepositions Do?

    17. What Do Conjunctions Do?

    18. Why Do Writers Use Compound Sentences?

    19. Why Do Writers Use the Serial Comma?

    20. Why Do Writers Use Complex Sentences?

    Conclusion: Look Up!

    Professional Bibliography

    Children’s Literature Bibliography

    Index

    Biography

    For over thirty years, Jeff Anderson has inspired writers and teachers of grades K–8 with the power and joy of the writing and grammar. He has written eight books for Stenhouse Publishers. He also writes middle-grade novels.

    Whitney La Rocca is an elementary literacy coach and has spent over 20 years working with young readers and writers. She enjoys delivering professional development and coaching teachers in best practices to empower children to create their identities in the world of literacy.