Unlike a traditional guide that focuses 
specifically on one book or level, this teaching companion is 
supplemental for any level of the program. Teachers will find this an 
invaluable resource, not only for using the Writing Strands curriculum 
but also for teaching any course that includes writing and literature as
 a component. The Teaching Companion provides a helpful overview of the 
Writing Strands system, as well as additional information on a range of 
writing, grammar, and literature issues that a teacher may face. 
- Includes general guidelines on how to approach drafting papers with students and how to give effective writing feedback
 - Provides discussion of the most common difficulties that students 
encounter, as well as tips on how to help students overcome these 
challenges
 - Discusses how to encourage a lifelong love of reading in students, 
including suggestions on how to ask good questions when discussing books
 - Offers suggested goals and objectives for teaching literature, broken down by age 
 - Explains the various elements of fiction and differences in literary
 genres, and includes appendices with information on basic citation, 
advice on teaching vocabulary, commonly confused words, and glossaries 
of grammar and literary terms.
 
Special attention is also given to the needs of developing readers, 
with additional supplemental information on teaching techniques for 
young readers and tips for helping them understand the meaning of what 
they read and develop critical thinking skills. We highly recommend that
 teachers read the Teaching Companion before their students start the 
course and that they continue to consult it as needed as students learn 
additional concepts.
We highly recommend that teachers read the Teaching Companion before 
their students start the course and that they continue to consult it as 
needed as students learn additional concepts.