Writing
Explore resources designed to improve writing instruction in elementary school. 
- View a visual diagram of all five practices
- Watch a topic overview and download planning templates
- Listen to an expert
Explore the subtopics below to learn more about the recommended practices:
To learn more about the research underlying these practices, view the IES Practice Guide, Teaching Elementary Students to Be Effective Writers.
Writing Every Day in Every Class
Writing > Daily Time > Learn What Works
A member of the IES expert panel describes the importance of daily writing time. It is recommended that teachers make time for writing practice every day and integrate opportunities to practice...
Resource Type
Expert Interview
State Support of Writing Instruction
Writing > States & Districts
This interview describes the challenges that states face as they promote student writing achievement. These challenges include the need for instructional reform to align with the Common Core State...
Resource Type
Expert Interview
Visual Diagram: Teaching Elementary School Students to be Effective Writers
Writing > Overview & Tools
Use this diagram as a visual reminder of the four interrelated practices that are recommended for helping elementary school students become effective writers. Teachers need to provide daily time...
Resource Type
Visual Diagram
There Is a Larger Audience
Writing > Engaged Community > See How It Works
Teachers illustrate what they do to create a community of writers in which their students feel comfortable and safe. Activities such as "Author's Chair" and "Publishing Parties" are important for...
Resource Type
School Example
That's What Community Is All About
Writing > Engaged Community > See How It Works
One teacher describes how she creates a classroom community of writers where students feel safe. The teacher explains the importance of sharing ideas and modeling for students. She also details the...
Resource Type
School Example
Giving Students a Choice
Writing > Engaged Community > See How It Works
A teacher discusses the importance of giving students a choice over what to write about, what to write with, and where to sit when they are writing. When given these choices, students are able to...
Resource Type
School Example
Learning to Construct Effective Sentences
Writing > Foundational Skills > See How It Works
A teacher talks about using mentor texts to help students learn how to construct effective sentences. She asks the students what they notice in the sentence. Students discuss the features of the...
Resource Type
School Example
Building a Solid Foundation for Writing
Writing > Foundational Skills > See How It Works
Teachers describe how they teach handwriting, spelling, and sentence construction skills. The teachers also use technology in their classroom to explore texts with their students and to teach...
Resource Type
School Example
A Schoolwide Approach to Writing Instruction
Writing > Writing Process > See How It Works
Hear a principal and teacher describe how their school has implemented a coherent approach to writing instruction. The principal ensures high-quality writing instruction by visiting classrooms...
Resource Type
School Example
Looking at Books with a Writer's Eye
Writing > Writing Process > See How It Works
A teacher shows how she uses mentor texts to teach students to emulate features of good writing. She illustrates reading aloud a mentor text and conducting a pre-writing activity for her students...
Resource Type
School Example
More Than One Way to Write
Writing > Writing Process > See How It Works
A reading specialist describes how classes at her school are learning to write for different purposes. In each classroom students learn skills and continue building a foundation as they...
Resource Type
School Example
Writing Buddies Using the Writing Process
Writing > Writing Process > See How It Works
Watch teachers show how they use "Writing Buddies" as a way for their students to help each other brainstorm and revise. Writing Buddies learn how to ask one another questions to think about ways...
Resource Type
School Example
