A National Study of Exemplary Writing Methods Instructors’ Course Assignments

ABSTRACT

In response to the dearth of research on K to 6 teacher preparation for teaching writing, we investigated writing methods course instructors’ course assignments. Participants’ courses met the following criteria: (a) Courses taken by undergraduate elementary teacher candidates; (b) Writing methods courses; (c) Use of exemplary writing instructional practices; and (d) Direct writing instruction with field application opportunities. Cross-case analysis revealed that despite vastly different teacher preparation programs and contexts, assignments were highly similar and focused on developing the candidates’ self as writer or on becoming a teacher of writing. Assignments highlighted in the findings illuminate how exemplary writing methods course instructors support candidates’ development and may be applied to programs seeking to create or to strengthen a writing methods course. Future directions for research are explored.

KEYWORDS:

• Writing methods courses
• writing pedagogy
• writing methods course assignments
• writing methods instructors
• preservice teacher education

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.