• augment our existing knowledge about the teaching and learning of writing
  
• stimulate thought and provoke discussion on the subject of writing
  
• inform and educate the intended audience in an easily accessible manner
  
• offer a blend of theory and practice in relation to the teaching & learning of writing
  
• give "food for thought" and ideas for teaching writing to elementary age children.
  

This book is aimed at educators to include teachers of primary children; educators interested in children's literacy, language and education; literacy consultants; student teachers; lecturers in higher education and teacher education; English advisors and inspectors and freelance inset course providers. The DfEE stated in their interim report on the progress of the National Literacy Strategy that greater emphasis needs to be given to the teaching of writing. With girls and boys between the ages of five and eleven, writing expertise is seen to be lagging behind reading. The whole process of writing needs teaching more explicitly right across the elementary age range. (Office for Standards in Education interim report on the National Literacy Strategy,1999).This same kind of message is being heard across many western democracies and teachers need as much help and support as they can possibly get therefore all educators, academics and authors who are aware of how children learn to read and write must share their knowledge with all interested parties. The Writing Classroom begins by considering why we write, the importance of writing, the process of writing, different types of writing, writing for real reasons etc. and continues by covering diverse issues such as under fives and their emergent writing, through to preparing for publishing a text. It reflects on a range of topics in relation to the teaching and learning of writing that have not been considered in previous texts on writing. The educational climate for the teaching of writing is very different now from at any other time in the history of literacy. As we enter the new millennium the demands on children to become effective, efficient writers will become even greater therefore this book is an important text to read now.