STEPS:
1. BE A WRITER: write often and for many purposes, not all written work has to be published.
2. BUILD A COMMUNITY: share writing experiences and have everyone join together at specific times to write.
3. READ ALOUD: explore the writing process.
4. STORYTELLING: have students tell stories and write them down.
5. READ LIKE WRITERS: note the ways an author keeps the reader in mind as they write.
6. MENTOR TEXTS: read these texts several times and focus on the author's craft.
7. GUIDE YOUNG WRITERS: encourage different topics based on experiences and interests.
8. PUT PEN TO PAPER: write, write, write.
9. MODEL: show and guide with clear examples.
10. USE WRITING TO PRESERVE MEMORIES: help children find their voice and show how they feel or think.
11. ASSESSMENT: look carefully at your writers and their writing to guide instruction.
12. HIGH EXPECTATIONS: challenge students to write great literature.
INSTRUCTOR August 2008
