What If They Can’t?

A class of reluctant readers and writers responded positively when topics were discussed orally before writing. As writing improved, Mueller introduced “Coffee House”—themed settings for oral performance of student writing. After modeling her own writing, Mueller invited students to perform, gratified when even the most reticent student shared an emotional reading and was buoyed by his peers’ positive responses. Eventually, students created picture books for younger readers (“Bugs and Insects,” “Prepositions,” I Spy,”), which motivated students to get their words and their presentations “just right.”