Building Writing Communities and Partnering with Families: Multiple Perspectives from a Writing Practicum

Purpose – This chapter outlines a six-week graduate level writing practicum that fosters collaboration among teachers, elementary school writers, and families. Design – Through the voices of teachers, students, and families, the authors describe a newly developed writing practicum where teachers engage in the writing process to build communities of writers and develop partnerships with families. Practical implications – Teacher educators can use the practices presented in this chapter as a springboard to create their own school-based writing practicum. Originality/value – This approach to teacher education values communities of writers and family partnerships to build on student writers’ strengths and interests.