Want to Teach Strong Writers? Start with their strengths.

I tend to roll my eyes when I see extraordinary stories of teachers reaching students.  Not because I have anything against extraordinary teachers personally.  It’s just that the very definition of extraordinariness means that most teachers and students won’t be able to benefit from said teachers’ feats.  However, show me deliberate practice that is both rigorous and real–then you got me.  And this clip from the National Writing Project showing Mr. Hunt working with his students did just that. Excellent pedagogy, that is just ordinary enough in all the right ways.