Ready-To-Use Writing Proficiency Lessons and Activities

Carol H. Behrman taught writing to students in the Glen Ridge New Jersey school system for fifteen years. She has written thirty books—fiction and nonfiction—for children and young adults and conducts numerous writing process workshops for students, teachers, and aspiring writers. Ms Behrman has served as writer-in-residence at Chautauqua Institution and has been an adjunct lecturer at Seton Hall University and at New York University’s Writing Center. Writing Proficiency Lessons and Activities grades four and eight by Behrman are also available from Jossey-Bass.

• About This Writing TestPrep Teaching Resource ivSection 1: Choosing the Right Word 1Teacher Perparation and Lessons 1Answer Key 4Review Test: Choosing the Right Word 32Section 2: Making Mechanics and Usage Work for You 35Teacher Perparation and Lessons 35Answer Key 39Review Test: Mechanics and Usage 73Section 3: Writing Sentences 77Teacher Perparation and Lessons 77Answer Key 81Review Test: Writing Sentences 105Section 4: Writing Paragraphs 109Teacher Perparation and Lessons 109Answer Key 113Practice Test: Writing Paragraphs 145Section 5: Essay-Writing Techniques 151Standardized Testing Information 151Teacher Preparation and Lessons 151Practice Test: Essay-Writing Techniques 183Section 6: Writing Informative/Expository Essays 189Standardized Testing Information 189Teacher Preparation and Lessons 190Practice Test: Writing Informative Essays 213Section 7: Writing Persuasive Essays 219Standardized Testing Information 219Teacher Preparation and Lessons 220Practice Test: Writing Persuasive Essays 243Section 9: Writing Letters 273Standardized Testing Information 279Teacher Preparation and Lessons 280Sample Letter Forms 282Practice Test: Writing Letters 301Proofreading Symbols 307Appendix: Preparing Your Students for Standardized Proficiency Tests 309