Designed to help teachers empower students to become thinkers, writers, and especially authors, this book helps teachers develop a writer's mindset in grades 2-6 students. It supports and guides teachers from the week before school through the spring Young Author's Conference that recognizes writing achievement. Chapters in the book are: (1) Kids as Authors: What Is Writing, Anyway?; (2) Preparation: Your Classroom; (3) Organization: The Self-Contained Writer's Notebook; (4) On Your Mark: The First Month of School; (5) Get Set: The Next Six Weeks; (6) Go!: The Daily Writing Workshop; (7) The Writing Process: Five Easy Steps; (8) Narrative: Writing Stories; (9) Expository: Writing to Explain; (10) Assessment: Evaluation and Record Keeping; (11) Publishing: Celebrate Writing; and (12) Young Author's Conference: Recognizing Achievement. (RS)