What is Pedagogical Content Knowledge of Writing

Although research has shifted in recent years to focus on the importance of writing instruction for K-6 students, many teacher preparation programs still lack a course focused specifically on writing methods. Further, recent research suggests teacher educators should engage teacher candidates in a pedagogical learning cycle that includes representation, rehearsal, enactment, and analysis of core practices; however, there is little guidance on how courses might engage teacher candidates in the core practices of teaching writing. To provide such guidance, this chapter will discuss current research related to preparing effective K-6 teachers of writing and explore possibilities for intentional partnering with K-6 schools and community organizations to support teacher candidates' development as writing teachers. The aim of this chapter is to provide an overview of how teacher educators may design opportunities for teacher candidates to deepen their evolving pedagogical content knowledge of writing through application across a variety of contexts.