Backwards planning for Success with Writing is a K-8 comprehensive toolkit to support implementation of a schoolwide writing campaign. This easy-to-use handbook is based on teaching writing through the gradual release model of instruction. Icons for each phase of the model: I Do-You Watch, We Do-You Help, You Do-I Help, and You Do-I Watch, are used throughout to signal to the teacher the level of scaffolding suggested.
The toolkit includes the following for all the taught standards K-8:
- Suggested lesson plans for six week cycles of instruction
- Rubrics and kid-friendly checklists
- Graphic organizers
- Student-friendly “how to” charts for each genre
- Academic language frames where needed
- Mini-lessons on specific techniques of writing
- Anchor papers as exemplars
What's new in the new edition:
- 150 pages of additional writing tools, mini-lessons, and writing project ideas have been included from teachers around the state
- Each genre-specific section now includes a suggested six week plan for teaching
- 100+ photos from classrooms show the strategies in action
- Standards-based rubrics and student checklists now are included in teacher and kid-friendly versions
- Suggestions for scaffolding instruction for English learners are included throughout the book
This handbook was built from the last 10 years of consulting with schools around the state. Here is what people are saying about the program:
"I am so pleased with how our students did. I thank you for sharing your knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm for writing with my staff and me. You did make a difference!"
"Our results have been wonderful. We had all but 5 students score proficient on the STAR writing test last year."
"My teachers said students got right to work on the test (STAR 4th grade writing) and didn’t stop until they were done. I talked to the students after the test. All that I spoke to said the test was easy; they had no problem writing and felt sure they were successful. In my book, they are just by the fact they felt that way. This is not at all what it was like last year after the test. I believe they feel like writers! How awesome is that!"
– Jodi Wilson, Principal, Spanger School, Roseville, CA
Professional Development in Writing Instruction:
Charlotte and her associates can provide training in the teaching of writing in a variety of formats to enhance the use of this book:
- Full day inservice (click here for sample agenda)
- Demonstration lessons + after school workshops
- Grade-level specific training and development of year-long plans for writing
- Leadership training on the implementation of a school-wide writing campaign
Volume discounts for book purchases are available in combination with professional development (click here to inquire)
Purchase of the book and/or training includes full access to the new Night Writer’s Project which is a web-based homework program to supplement and enrich an in-school writing program. (click here to learn more)
Visit this "Lessons in Writing" photo gallery page to see classroom examples from schools using our approach.
