4th grade Instructional Guide

Canyons School District

Instructional Supports Department

Of all the instructional approaches to connecting reading and writing studies so far, writing about text has been the most successful as an avenue to improving reading achievement, and such integrated approaches have been valuable in stimulating higher quality writing outcomes, too. – Dr. Timothy Shanahan In Process Writing other processes are used such as, reading, expressive language, receptive language, vocabulary, and writing mechanics. The act of writing is rarely linear and requires multiple skills including; planning, drafting, and revising while simultaneously critical thinking in order to analyze, summarize, and evaluate. Teaching students strategies to plan, write and revise is effective for different types of students, including struggling writers (Harris, Graham, & Mason, 2006) and students with learning disabilities (Sexton, Harris, & Graham, 1998). Successful Process Writing: ● Pointing out key features of the expert model ● Following the writing process ● Collaborating with peers ● Understanding of rubrics, checklist and student model expectations Assessing Writing: Rubrics and checklists are great ways to assess your students’ learning and make learning visible. Rubrics and checklists serve as a tool to make the success criteria clear and how close a student is to the target. Using a rubric such as the one below supports students in knowing where writing needs to improve, and supports instructors with next steps.

Process Writing Skills: ● Reading ● Expressive language

● Vocabulary ● Mechanics ● Critical thinking

● Planning ● Drafting ● Revising Process Writing Routine: ● Analyze expert model & genre

● Plan ● Draft ● Revise & Peer Conference

● Proofread & Edit ● Publish, present ● Use the rubric to self evaluate

Purpose, Focus, Organization (4pts)

Evidence, Reasons,

Conventions 2pts

Details (4pts)

MyTotal Score

Writing Resources and Research: ● Teaching Elementary School Student how to be Effective Writers (IES practice guide) ● Supports from National Council of Teachers of English

● A Path to Better Writing ● Framing Your Thoughts ● Four Square ● Analytical Writing in Wonders