Objective for Convention/ Creative Content
Objectives are clear, focused, reasonable for the amount of time,
and reachable for every child in the class. Each lesson has a small amount of new information, building slowly to prevent cognitive overload.
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Independent Practice/ Teacher Guidance and feedback
Most of the lesson consists of independent practice, with the intent of immediate feedback and correction. When students correct mistakes right away, they are more ready for the next day’s lesson.
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Materials
We keep it simple! The workbook format stays the same throughout the entire program, so students can focus on learning new content, not new approaches. Most other materials needed are copied from the Appendix in the teacher’s guide.
Extensions for more capable students
There is always a wide range of ability in a class. Each lesson has a way to keep higher-level students engaged.
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Group Lessons and Practice
Every lesson begins with about 10 minutes of guided practice, modeling the exact objective of the lesson. The teacher’s guide provides some exact language to be used if needed, and ideas for making the group lesson lively and fun.
Sharing
Most children are very motivated to write when they know they will get to share it with their peers. Growing Writers teaches several ways to include sharing of writing.
What teachers are saying
“I have some boys who get easily distracted and tired of writing. I was nervous about doing the program every day. But as soon as I started it they really looked forward to the routine and they liked knowing what was coming. The consistency of the program worked really well for those kids. Even the kids that really struggle with fine motor skills enjoy the task of the lessons. It isn’t a battle.”
“The group lesson before starting the books each day is so valuable. They really don’t want to have to fix their work. They want to get it right the first time, so I think they know that group lesson is valuable too.”
“Everything just flows. The creative choice writing every day gives me the time to walk around and check everyone’s work on the conventions. A lot of kids are proud of their work and they want you to check it, so I try to get around to everyone each day. I like that the program gives me time to do that.”
“It is nice to make time for writing and to have it in the schedule. I’ve never had that. Sure, we did writing as a part of science and social studies and reading and all that but we weren’t teaching it. I don’t think we can expect kids to just know how to write. If you don’t teach it, how do you expect them to know it? It gives me chills to think where my kids would be if we hadn’t had Growing Writers this year.”