Writing prompts should be used as a TOOL to help students learn to write better. Writing prompts help students learn how to:
• Write to a prompt
• Follow directions
• Stay on topic
However, students also need to learn how to:
• Think for themselves AND
• Get their work done independently
Over-relying on writing prompts for students “who can’t think of anything to write” is [...]
Transform your child into a truly confident author using “Pattern Based Writing: Quick and Easy Essay!
Should you help your child with writing? YES. The Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI) suggests that you help your child with writing. OERI believes you, a parent, can make a big difference. You can use helping strategies that [...]
You and your students have worked hard on writing all year… and now it’s time to make sure it gets all the credit it deserves. Sometimes mandated writing rubrics can have harsh consequences… because sometimes fantastic writing misses the mark when it comes to the rubric.
The goal here is to not only to improve overall [...]
Gifted and Talented (G.A.T.E.) Students Do the MATH before they do the WRITING
I once taught a 5th grade G.A.T.E. class at a very affluent school for the final two months of the school year. It was my off-track vacation time and their teacher could not finish the year. I had never seen students like these [...]