School-Wide Writing Program

For the past year, we have worked to explore and implement a school-wide writing program. There have been many bumps in the road of this journey but in the end all roads are leading to a common language around writing for the staff and students. As we conclude this year, we have developed a new understanding about the writing demands and how it will look a little different with the Common Core Standards.

During our last collaboration we discussed how each trimester will focus on one text type per trimester: Opinion/Argument, Informative/Explanatory, and Narrative. We also decided that we would try to fit an on-demand writing assessment into those time periods, as we reflected on the work that was shared from Sue Kaiser. Lastly, it was reiterated that writing with the Common Core Standards in mind is more about informational writing that is accomplished across the content areas with a huge emphasis on text dependent evidence or support.

Although rolling out a new writing program is not easy, I am proud of the work that our school has accomplished this year towards this goal. I will be posting examples of writing and writing lessons from the classroom for the remainder of the year. We need to celebrate this work, learn from our colleagues and then work to make it better!