Writing
In 2014 Boston Public Schools Published a Writing Framework and a Writing Guide website. This framework outlines the three types of writing (narrative, informational, and argument) that students should become proficient. Boston also created a Toolbox for Writing that includes examples of how writing could be incorporated in content and daily routines. Newton Also created curriculum guides and benchmarks for each grade. Brookline also have a set of Learning Expectations to review.
PARCC has also created a list of suggested activities for writing for K2-3. We also have a set of new Rubrics for Writing that Boston has just created for 2014.
Here are the MA Frameworks for Writing. How is teaching different under the Common Core? These reflection guides help educators think about past, current and future instructional practices.
An Article Worth Reading:
Best Practices in Teaching Writing
PARCC has also created a list of suggested activities for writing for K2-3. We also have a set of new Rubrics for Writing that Boston has just created for 2014.
Here are the MA Frameworks for Writing. How is teaching different under the Common Core? These reflection guides help educators think about past, current and future instructional practices.
An Article Worth Reading:
Best Practices in Teaching Writing
Handwriting without Tears
The Handwriting Without Tears® curriculum draws from years of innovation and research to provide developmentally appropriate, multisensory tools and strategies for your classroom. The program follows research that demonstrates children learn more effectively by actively doing, with materials that address all styles of learning. We teach effectively with joy. We have figured out easier, happier ways for children to master handwriting. Handwriting Without Tears is dedicated to developing excellent materials for children and training for teachers. As a result, millions of students have successfully used our program. The result truly is handwriting without tears!
Here is a family section filled with home supports and an educator section filled with downloads. The Letter Formation Chart is a great tool for families and paras to ensure consistent instruction and support. Families can also view thecurriculum and supplemental materials from the website. This is a great way to introduce the content to paras and families. A monthly newsletter provides ideas and free downloads to supplement your curriculum. There are over 80 how-to videos located on YouTube that will guide and support you in curriculum implementation. Educators without all of the materials can start using the language and ideas when providing handwriting instruction. See the parent resource for Kindergarten for implementation ideas. The Key Components will also support implementation. The screening tool is used to consider instructional practices and recommendations. The Kindergarten Screener Tool Supports early education implementation. TeachersPayTeachers has a wealth of supports to supplement the curriculum and well worth a trip.
The Handwriting Without Tears® curriculum draws from years of innovation and research to provide developmentally appropriate, multisensory tools and strategies for your classroom. The program follows research that demonstrates children learn more effectively by actively doing, with materials that address all styles of learning. We teach effectively with joy. We have figured out easier, happier ways for children to master handwriting. Handwriting Without Tears is dedicated to developing excellent materials for children and training for teachers. As a result, millions of students have successfully used our program. The result truly is handwriting without tears!
Here is a family section filled with home supports and an educator section filled with downloads. The Letter Formation Chart is a great tool for families and paras to ensure consistent instruction and support. Families can also view thecurriculum and supplemental materials from the website. This is a great way to introduce the content to paras and families. A monthly newsletter provides ideas and free downloads to supplement your curriculum. There are over 80 how-to videos located on YouTube that will guide and support you in curriculum implementation. Educators without all of the materials can start using the language and ideas when providing handwriting instruction. See the parent resource for Kindergarten for implementation ideas. The Key Components will also support implementation. The screening tool is used to consider instructional practices and recommendations. The Kindergarten Screener Tool Supports early education implementation. TeachersPayTeachers has a wealth of supports to supplement the curriculum and well worth a trip.
Writer's Workshop
What is Writing Workshop? Writing Workshop is a teaching technique that makes writing a meaningful part of the classroom curriculum and daily routine. When combined with reading activities Writing Workshop can create a powerful and motivating tool for teaching literacy.
How is Writing Workshop structured? The lesson sequence for writing workshop is as follows:
1. Writing Mini Lesson and/or read aloud of a mentor text focusing on the writer’s/illustrator’s craft to be explored.
2. Storytelling/Drawing/Writing: Children engage in independent drawing/writing. As students engage in the independent drawing/writing the teacher meets or conferences with the writers.
3. Story of the Day: Whole group interactive writing and sharing.
Units:
Kindergarten How-To Books
Grade 1 Best in Show: Judging Our Collections
Grade 2 Studying Masters for Inspiration and Ideas
Grade 3 Learning About Adaptations by Writing in the Footsteps of the Classics
Materials:
Letter Tiles and Word Shape Sheet
Web Resources:
Carl's Corner has an amazing resource of ideas and pdfs to get you started.
Here are Explicit Guides for Launching Writer's Workshop for Kindergarten, Grade 1 and Grades 2/3
Writing Fix is a wonderful resource for writing across the grades with a special page on kindergarten writers' workshop. Teacher's First also has a website of resources and links. ReadWriteThink also has almost 100 lesson plans using the Writing Workshop model.
Classroom Snap Shots has a wealth of downloads to share on Kindergarten Mini-Lessons.
Lucy Calkins' curriculum on writing is a foundation to any writer's workshop model. A progression model shows has all 3 writing genres are incorporated into the curriculum. Vimeo carries a set of videos to get you started. Sample Lessons Support teacher implementation (Kindergarten How-To Books, Grade 1 - Best in Show, Grade 2 - Studying the Masters for Inspiration and Ideas and Grade 3 - Learning About Adaptations by Writing BEND I in the Footsteps of the Classics.
Orange County shared a Writing Workshop Curriculum for Early Childhood.
Heinemann has videos demonstrating conferencing and Teacher Tube has an abundance of video demonstrations of Writer's Workshop.
Writing Traits Downloads
Busy Teachers Cafe also has many downloads to get you started Including Students with Special Needs in a Writing Workshop
How is Writing Workshop structured? The lesson sequence for writing workshop is as follows:
1. Writing Mini Lesson and/or read aloud of a mentor text focusing on the writer’s/illustrator’s craft to be explored.
2. Storytelling/Drawing/Writing: Children engage in independent drawing/writing. As students engage in the independent drawing/writing the teacher meets or conferences with the writers.
3. Story of the Day: Whole group interactive writing and sharing.
Units:
Kindergarten How-To Books
Grade 1 Best in Show: Judging Our Collections
Grade 2 Studying Masters for Inspiration and Ideas
Grade 3 Learning About Adaptations by Writing in the Footsteps of the Classics
Materials:
Letter Tiles and Word Shape Sheet
Web Resources:
Carl's Corner has an amazing resource of ideas and pdfs to get you started.
Here are Explicit Guides for Launching Writer's Workshop for Kindergarten, Grade 1 and Grades 2/3
Writing Fix is a wonderful resource for writing across the grades with a special page on kindergarten writers' workshop. Teacher's First also has a website of resources and links. ReadWriteThink also has almost 100 lesson plans using the Writing Workshop model.
Classroom Snap Shots has a wealth of downloads to share on Kindergarten Mini-Lessons.
Lucy Calkins' curriculum on writing is a foundation to any writer's workshop model. A progression model shows has all 3 writing genres are incorporated into the curriculum. Vimeo carries a set of videos to get you started. Sample Lessons Support teacher implementation (Kindergarten How-To Books, Grade 1 - Best in Show, Grade 2 - Studying the Masters for Inspiration and Ideas and Grade 3 - Learning About Adaptations by Writing BEND I in the Footsteps of the Classics.
Orange County shared a Writing Workshop Curriculum for Early Childhood.
Heinemann has videos demonstrating conferencing and Teacher Tube has an abundance of video demonstrations of Writer's Workshop.
Writing Traits Downloads
Busy Teachers Cafe also has many downloads to get you started Including Students with Special Needs in a Writing Workshop