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.
Related blog post:
EdReports Has It Backwards
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.
Related blog post:
No more “Do your best”
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.
Related blog post:
What is the art of teaching?
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.
Coming this Spring…
The first Growing Writers training videos!