In EL Education schools, writing is taught across the curriculum. Students learn to write effectively to inform, to build arguments substantiated with evidence, and to write with literary power in narrative and poetic genres. Students learn to write like historians, scientists, mathematicians, and artists. Through writing, students learn more deeply about content and communicate what they know. They learn to craft quality writing in a variety of contexts. Students write to learn while learning to write. Students have regular opportunities to write for authentic purposes and audiences beyond the classroom, which fosters motivation for producing quality writing. Writing is a central vehicle for learning and communicating in all classrooms.
Read/Write/Think
- Writing reflects content understanding- All writing supports content knowledge: Students write both as they are learning content knowledge (e.g., note-taking) and as they synthesize that knowledge (e.g., in their formal writing).
- Specific instruction in aspects of writing- Writing skills (e.g., use of introductions transitions) and approaches (e.g., gathering evidence to support a statement) are scaffolded specifically for particular writing in each module.
- Writing fluency, ease with writing- Frequent "short writes" as well as more developed pieces; writing practice as one specific component of the Additional Language and Literacy Block.
- Oral processing of ideas before writing- Frequent opportunities for students to "orally rehearse" ideas and thinking before writing, including structured conversations and Language Dives.
- Writing process (plan, draft, confer, revise, edit)- Instruction and scaffolding in each aspect of the writing process; emphasis on use of models, critique (kind, specific, and helpful), feedback, and revision.
Read/Write/Think