• Simply more time to write does not equal better writing. Just as in other subjects, students must be taught how to become better writers.
• Every day should include direct instruction on a specific skill, ample time for students to practice writing, and all students should be conferred with to individually develop their writing skills.
• Writing can and should be frequently integrated into other subject areas to strengthen this vital skill.

Research Unit - This is a full 1.5 month overview of a research writing unit that culminates with a PowerPoint presentation to the class.



Fantasy Unit- This is a full unit overview of fantasy, one of the genre studies students did later in the year.



Writing Artifacts- I have included samples from two different writers in my classroom from about mid-year.



Sample Lesson 1- This is a full lesson from the fantasy unit that I taught. It is focusing on talking animals as an element of fantasy.



Sample Lesson 2- This is an introductory lesson from a poetry unit that I taught. It was adapted from the Lucy Calkins model.