The tools and strategies you need to use formative assessment to establish an environment where students will internalize ways that they can assess their own writing and become independent writers. This hands-on guide shares methods for collecting and managing information, and shows practical, simple, and concise ways to document student thinking. In the accompanying online videos, the authors demonstrate conferences with individual writers, small groups, and whole groups. Quick, easy-to-manage assessment methods emphasize that formative assessment do not have to take a long time to be worthwhile and effective. Vignettes from classroom teachers, principals, and authors add a variety of perspectives and classroom experiences on this important topic.