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.
Enabling Students to Use Writing Effectively for Learning and Communicating
Writing > Overview & Tools
This presentation illustrates how to use research-based practices to teach elementary school students to be effective writers. The presentation covers the four recommended practices in this topic....
Resource Type
Overview
Creating an Engaged Community of Writers
Writing > Engaged Community > Overview & Tools
This recommended practice focuses on how teachers can foster an engaged community of writers by writing together with students, providing choice, and encouraging collaboration and feedback among...
Resource Type
Overview
Providing Daily Time For Writing
Writing > Daily Time > Overview & Tools
This recommended practice focuses on the importance of designating daily time for writing instruction to ensure sufficient practice of writing skills. This presentation outlines key considerations...
Resource Type
Overview
Teaching Foundational Skills to Help Students Become Effective Writers
Writing > Foundational Skills > Overview & Tools
This recommended practice focuses on providing instruction on foundational writing skills, such as handwriting, spelling, sentence construction, typing, and word processing. This presentation...
Resource Type
Overview
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
Writing is a Thinking Activity
Writing > Overview & Tools
Dr. Steve Graham discusses the four recommended practices from the Practice Guide, Teaching Elementary School Students to Be Effective Writers. He describes how the process of writing instruction...
Resource Type
Expert Interview
Creating a Place Where Students Feel Like Writers
Writing > Engaged Community > Learn What Works
One member of the IES Panel explains why developing a collaborative community of writers is necessary to have engaged writers. She discusses the various ways a teacher can create a safe and...
Resource Type
Expert Interview
Not Grammar for Grammar’s Sake
Writing > Foundational Skills > Learn What Works
Listen to a member of the IES Panel discuss the importance of teaching spelling and of supporting students in learning to construct sentences that convey their intended meaning. Teaching these...
Resource Type
Expert Interview
Understanding the Purpose of What You’re Writing
Writing > Writing Process > Learn What Works
Students are more likely to be engaged in writing if they understand the purpose of a particular writing assignment. Listen to a member of the IES Panel discuss how teachers can look for...
Resource Type
Expert Interview
Strategies for Using the Writing Process
Writing > Writing Process > Learn What Works
Listen to a member of the IES Panel discuss how teachers can helps students use strategies to plan and evaluate their writing. He illustrates the importance of peer interaction in revision and...
Resource Type
Expert Interview
Kentucky’s Schoolwide Writing Program Review
Writing > States & Districts
Kentucky's Senate Bill 1 sparked a new program review process that includes a comprehensive review of writing instruction, professional development practices, and administrative support. This...
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
