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"Here are innovative classroom projects that are not classroom bound. Students become activists in public affairs, developing their rhetorical and critical thinking abilities, as they write to make a positive difference in their communities."
—Art Young, Campbell Professor of English, Clemson University "Writing to Make a Difference is among the most important educational tools of the new millennium."
—Lou Bernieri, Director, Andover Bread Loaf and teacher, Phillips Academy
"These projects provide teachers at all grade levels with intriguing ideas to help their students become truly engaged in their writing."
—Susan R. Hardin, high school English teacher in Petersburg, Alaska.
The student projects presented in this book demonstrate a powerful approach to teaching writing-one that requires no special equipment or resources and can be adapted for students of any age. The key is getting students involved in action research and in writing about issues that are important to them and their communities. Written by public school teachers, these chapters describe projects covering a variety of issues, including avoiding teenage health risks, preserving oral histories, fighting racism, investigating environmental hazards, decreasing instances of teen pregnancy, and much more. Based on a process-model of writing instruction, these projects will show teachers how to engage their students while also teaching the basic skills that appear in educational standards and assessment frameworks.
