The Writer's Choice grammar and
composition textbook has been selected for use in your son
or daughter's language arts classroom, and you have every
reason to be excited. As your child embarks on a year of growth
and discovery, he or she will be working in partnership with
a textbook that empowers students to use writing as a tool
for learning; that demystifies the process of writing; and
that enables students to become critical thinkers, active
listeners, effective speakers, and compassionate members of
their classroom community.
You may ask, "How can I too be a partner
to my child's learning? How can I help my child grow as a
writer, especially if my own writing skills are not as strong
as they could be?" The answer is simple: stay active and involved
in your child's learning process.
Encourage your child by
asking questions about the
challenges he or she faces as a developing writer
honing your listening skills
and being a sounding board for your child's writing ideas
inviting your child to read
aloud his or her drafts and offering feedback and advice
when asked
acting as a role model and
demonstrating the value you place on writing and on the
other communication skills you use each day
By finding and reading this letter on the
Writer's Choice Web site, you've already begun to model
for your child the process of inquiry and research. We hope
that you'll take advantage of the other resources available
on this Web site. Here you'll find an annotated list of Web
Links for Parents on a variety of subjects that have been
specifically chosen by Glencoe editors with parents' concerns
in mind. For example, some links will help you assist your
child in conducting research for writing projects, while others
contain family learning activities. Still others address a
range of issues, from bilingual education to finding the right
college. Consider making your first stop the U.S. Department
of Education's Parents Guide to the Internet; the site will
help you learn to surf with confidence, knowledge, and awareness.
In addition, the Annotated Writing Models section of the Parent
Site will help you gain a better understanding of the writing
assignments your child will be asked to complete this year.
Reviewing student writing models and learning the standards
against which final drafts will be evaluated will enable you
to assist your child through the various stages of the writing
process.
Be sure to spend some time with the Find Your Book Here section of the Writer's
Choice Web site. For each grade level of the Writer's
Choice series, you'll find a variety of materials that
have been developed for students—and that you and your
child can explore together.
Thank you for supporting your child's work
with the Writer's Choice.
