Keys to Content Writing Grades 3-6 provides instructional practices for teaching students how to write in all subject areas using strategies that are aligned with state literacy standards. This two-day training focuses on how to teach specific writing skills, and how to use writing to learn content. Suggestions are provided for differentiation and scaffolds to meet the needs of struggling writers. This professional development uses Keys to Content Writing book that includes writing templates and graphic organizers, checklists and rubrics, and classroom samples.
After a brief review of research-based practices for teaching writing in grades 3-6 and expectations of the Common Core writing standards, the training covers these topics:
Specific Writing Skills
- Sentence and paragraph writing
- Stages of the writing process (Think, Plan, Write, Revise)
- Patterns of organization and related transitions words
- How to write introductions and conclusions
- Text structure for opinion/argument, informational, and narrative writing
- Feedback and revision checklists and rubrics
Using Writing to Learn Content
- Quick writes to learn content and practice writing skills
- Content learning writing tasks (e.g., summarizing, compare/contrast, short answer responses)
- Writing from sources, including gathering relevant information into notes
- Writing Assignment Guide (WAG) for planning formal, multiple-draft writing assignments
Who Should Participate
Grades 3-6 classroom teachers of any subject, educators who provide support to struggling writers, literacy specialists and coaches, and administrators.