What does it look like?

• Teacher provides direct instruction in the writing process, grade-level writing standards and applications, and the traits of effective writing

What does it provide for students?

• An instructional focus that is defined by the writing application standards
• Practice using the writing process and the traits of effective writing
• An understanding of the relationship between reading and writing

How is it implemented?

• Select literature from a variety of sources to serve as models for teaching specific writing applications and the traits of effective writing
• Model and guide students through the writing process with whole class, small group, and individual instruction
• Use rubrics and anchor papers to serve as a standard of assessment

“One of the most important keys to good writing is good reading …

You must be a good reader to be a good writer, and you need to be a good writer to be a better reader.”

 Douglas Reeves, Reason to Write: Student Handbook, 2002

• Use the Capistrano Unified School District Literacy Map to guide and focus writing instruction.
• Explicitly teach and model the writing process.
• Explicitly teach and model the traits of effective writing.
• Use the gradual release of responsibility method to teach any type of writing:

• write aloud (teacher think aloud model)
• shared writing (students and teacher write together)
• guided writing (teacher prompts as students write)
• collaborative writing (students write with a partner to produce one product)
• independent writing (students write alone)

• Consider using a Writer’s Workshop model.
• Read books to students that model what you want them to write.

The Writing Assessment Notebook provides a set of common assessments for CUSD teachers.  When teachers use similar assessments it is possible to discuss the results together and plan instruction that benefits all students.  Every elementary teacher in CUSD should have a Writing Assessment Notebook where all recommended assessments can be found. If you do not have a Writing Assessment Notebook please order one through the materials contact person at your school site.