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.
Self-Reflection Tool: Writing Across the Curriculum
Writing > Daily Time > Overview & Tools
Teachers and coaches can use this tool to reflect on current practice and identify ideas for new instructional activities for including daily writing across all subject areas. View the interview,...
Resource Type
Tool
Learning Together: Integrating Writing Into the Curriculum
Writing > Daily Time > Overview & Tools
Use this tool to plan writing projects as part of social studies, math, or science curricula. This tool can be used in professional learning communities as an activity for collaborative learning...
Resource Type
Tool
Writing Planning Template #1
Writing > Overview & Tools
This school-level planning tool can be used to assess and plan for school practices to support staff in teaching elementary school students to be effective writers. It covers such topics as...
Resource Type
Planning Template
Writing Planning Template #2
Writing > Overview & Tools
This district-level planning tool can be used to assess and plan for district practices to support schools in developing a comprehensive and coherent plan for teaching elementary school students to...
Resource Type
Planning Template
Writing Planning Template #3
Writing > Overview & Tools
This state-level planning tool can be used to assess and plan for state practices to support districts and schools in developing a comprehensive and coherent plan for teaching elementary school...
Resource Type
Planning Template
Teaching Students to Use the Writing Process for a Variety of Purposes
Writing > Writing Process > Overview & Tools
The focus of this recommended practice is that strong writing involves following a process in which writers (1) plan, (2) draft, (3) share, (4) evaluate, (5) revise, (6) edit, and (7) publish a...
Resource Type
Overview
Planning to Teach Writing Strategies
Writing > Writing Process > Overview & Tools
This tool is designed to help teachers plan writing strategies that are suited to their students and their grade level. Strategies are provided for each step of the writing process, along with...
Resource Type
Tool
Teacher Self-Assessment: Gradual Release of Responsibility
Writing > Writing Process > Overview & Tools
Teachers can use this tool to reflect on the steps they take to gradually release the responsibility for using writing strategies to students. Specific steps are listed to help teachers show...
Resource Type
Tool
Learning Together: Applying the Writing Process
Writing > Writing Process > Overview & Tools
Use this tool as a learning and listening guide with the interviews, Strategies for Using the Writing Process, Teaching Students to Use the Writing Process for a Variety of Purposes, and Understand...
Resource Type
Tool
Including Writing in Everything We Do
Writing > Daily Time > See How It Works
Watch a fifth-grade math class integrate writing practice into a geometry lesson. Students plan their writing using graphic organizers specifically tailored to writing in the context of a math...
Resource Type
School Example
Writer's Workshop Every Day
Writing > Daily Time > See How It Works
Teachers describe what writing instruction and practice time looks like in their classrooms. Teachers at this school hold a Writer's Workshop every day. This is an example of how writer's workshop...
Resource Type
School Example
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
