How to Become a Better Writing Teacher: A Conversation with Matt Glover

In this conversation, Matt Glover, former teacher and principal, now a full-time writer and consultant, and I discuss his book, How to Become a Better Writing Teacher, co-authored with Carl Anderson (Heinemann, 2024)

Key Highlights from Conversation

Author’s Background

* Matt Glover's experience as a first-grade teacher, assistant principal, and principal of a large early childhood school.

* Shifted interest towards teaching writing, influenced by colleagues and educational leaders like Carl Anderson and Katie Wood Ray.

Importance of Teaching Writing

* Glover’s interest in how children compose and think.

* Emphasis on the importance of teaching writing from an early age.

* Discussion on the role of equity in teaching writing, ensuring all students can express their thoughts regardless of language and transcription skills.

Engagement and Choice in Writing

* The impact of choice (topic and genre) on student engagement.

* Strategies for supporting meaningful choice in the classroom to enhance engagement.

* The correlation between engagement and achievement in writing.

Building Confidence in Young Writers

* The significance of building students' confidence as writers.

* Techniques such as using children as mentors in writing conferences.

* The positive effects of showcasing less confident writers as mentors.

Effective Writing Instruction Practices

* The role of teacher's own writing in the instructional process.

* The power of peer partnerships and long-term student collaborations.

* Practical strategies for conferring with students and asking empowering questions like "What are you making?" and "What have you done well as a writer?"

Evolving Writing Units

* Incorporating modern forms of writing like podcasts and TED Talks into the curriculum.

* Glover’s perspective on the cautious use of AI in teaching writing.

* The importance of maintaining authenticity in teacher-created writing samples.

Advice for Teachers

* Start with one action or strategy from the book and work on it incrementally.

* Utilize the assessment tools provided in the book to personalize and guide instructional improvements.

* Commit to long-term growth and incremental learning rather than trying to overhaul teaching practices all at once.

Interested in learning more?

* Check out the two-day online institute for the book, co-facilitated by Matt Glover and Carl Anderson in July. Register with Heinemann here.

* Watch our conversation with Carl Anderson to kick of this book study here.

* To integrate more authentic assessment in your writing instruction, I humbly recommend my book on digital portfolios. it is a powerful approach for engaging and empowering students as writers and learners.

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