A Program for Writing
Instruction Based on the Seven Research-Proven Practices of Highly
Effective Writing Teachers
According to research conducted over the past 60
years, there are seven critical areas that must be in place in every
classroom in order to have a successful school-or district wide
writing program. No writing program can be truly effective unless it
contains complete support for all seven areas. This document lists
each area as a separate goal (with links
to checklist forms), and details the types of
knowledge and training teachers need in order to meet each goal in
their classroom instruction.
Goal
#1:
Introduce students to the criteria for
success in the context of models that reflect those criteria.
Goal
#2:
Let kids write regularly, for extended
periods of time, primarily on topics of their own choosing, in all
subject area, using a variety of forms appropriate to their
development.
Goal
#3:
Make informal oral comments and formal
written comments to students about their writing using the vocabulary
of the criteria to which they have been introduced.
Goal
#4
In the context of your reading program
(and in other subject areas where appropriate), make students aware
of the criteria in the writing they read.
Goal
#5
Use a Writer's Workshop approach to manage
the writing period.
Goal
#6
Use a Writing Process approach to help
kids manage their writing.
Goal
#7
When addressing errors, focus on only one
error or one type of error at a time; address errors in the context
of actual student writing; teach students to identify and correct
their own errors instead of relying on teacher correction.
©copyright 1996-7 by Steve Peha. This
material may be reproduced for non-commercial educational purposes
only.
10002 Aurora Ave. N., #3357 - Seattle, WA 98133 - Tel 206-363-4780 -
Fax 206-363-5103- E-mail stevepeha@aol.com