Join Us for the 2025 Write Now Virtual Conference

Oral Language Connections for Writing Development Among Multilingual Students

Oral Language is the foundation for literacy which includes writing development. This session will address the components of language as they relate to writing among all students. Special considerations for the oral language features of multilingual students will be described. Participants will learn typical oral and written language patterns of heritage Spanish speakers and the instructional design principles necessary to enhance their oral and written language skills. Case studies will be presented along with lesson design examples.

Word, Sentence, and “Micro-discourse” Strategies: Keys to Text-Level Writing

Structured, systematic, and explicit literacy instruction results in significant gains in students’ comprehension and writing. Too often, writing instruction focuses exclusively on discourse (paragraph and multi-paragraph) structure, with minimal emphasis on development of topical vocabulary and sentence-level skills.  After a very brief review of theory and evidence, this presentation will describe topical (theme-centered) vocabulary, sentence formulation, and “micro-discourse” (inter-sentence cohesion and elaboration) strategies that participants can use right away in their teaching. The methods are well-suited for regular education, grades 1-5, and for students who need additional support in upper grade school, middle school, and even high school. Dr. Haynes will draw from his (2018) book for teachers, From Talking to Writing: Strategies for Supporting Narrative and Expository Writing, and will include more recent strategies developed and tested in the Written Expressive Language and Literacy Collaborative (WELL) language clinic at MGH Institute of Health Professions (see Lambrech-Smith & Haynes, 2022; Haynes, Smith & Laud, 2019) and in work with students in public schools in the greater Boston area.

Writing Narrative, Opinion, and Persuasive Essays Based on Text in Grades K-5 with SRSD Instruction

Narrative, persuasive/argumentative and informative writing are emphasized in standards and schools across the country. We will talk through how SRSD instruction across these genres works in grades K-5, and how strategies for each genre connect and become more sophisticated across grades, preparing students for the grades to come. Teachers are in charge, modifying SRSD instruction as needed to fit their students, classroom, and context; and integrating best practices with SRSD. The reading – writing connection is emphasized. How SRSD instruction teaches students close reading to learn and then write for these genres is shared, as is early work in Kindergarten. Student writing before and after SRSD instruction will be shown, including students with differing abilities across a typical classroom. Resources for teachers are shared.

Sentence Sense: Practical Strategies for Teaching Syntax Skills in the Early Grades

Join Shauna Cotte, Vice President at Keys to Literacy, and Carla Sanford, Director of Instructional Design at Reading Universe, as they explore why syntax is a powerful but often overlooked key to comprehension and writing success. This session will highlight how teaching sentence-level skills in the early grades supports both reading and writing development. Participants will walk away with practical, ready-to-use strategies that can be integrated into existing curriculum materials to strengthen students’ sentence construction and literacy proficiency.

It’s Possible: Unlocking Powerful Writing Instruction

This engaging session, led by KTL’s Head of Instructional Leadership, Pati Montgomery, and Vice President Lisa Klein, is designed for education leaders ready to champion effective, research-based writing instruction. Discover how to create the conditions for success, support teachers with what they need most, and implement scalable, evidence-based practices that make high-impact writing instruction not only possible but powerful.

Unlocking Writing: The Keys to a Statewide K–12 Writing Movement

While the Science of Reading has captured national momentum, writing remains the overlooked companion in literacy success. This session invites state leaders to examine the current state of writing instruction, explore national and state trends, and identify pressing needs across classrooms. We’ll highlight how state organizations are partnering with Keys to Literacy to elevate writing by building teacher knowledge of the research base, investing in professional learning, and advancing practical, scalable approaches. Let’s make writing the next literacy priority, systemwide.