Hey everyone. Happy new academic year! If you’re a new member of SLT or a writing coordinator, here are some articles and resources that could be really useful to you this year:
14 ways to improve the writing teaching in your school [LINK]
This article outlines 14 research-based principles for effective writing instruction, designed to improve both enjoyment and performance.
Which writing model would best guide us to raise writing standards in our school? [LINK]
This article introduces The Writerly Knowledge Model, which combines rigorous instruction with attention to students’ social and affective needs. This model offers a comprehensive approach to improving writing achievement in schools, focusing on both the process and craft of writing.
The writer(s)- within- community model and improving the teaching of writing across a school [LINK]
This article explains how writing coordinators can use the Writer(s)- Within- Community Model to improve the writing provision across their school. It emphasises the importance of collaboration between writers, teachers, and students to create a supportive ‘writing school’. The model highlights how school environment, individual abilities, and guiding principles collectively shape writing education.
Evidence-based recommendations for teaching writing [LINK]
This article shares effective methods for teaching writing, drawn from nearly 1,000 studies, applicable to students aged 5–18. Key points include the importance of frequent, purposeful writing with explicit instruction, teacher and peer feedback, and teaching writing skills like grammar, planning, and revision.
The components of an effective writing unit [LINK]
This articles explains how a well-planned class writing project provides a structured way to teach children about the writing process, with research showing it can have a highly positive impact on progress. Effective writing units follow a routine of introducing topics, reading as writers, setting goals, generating ideas, drafting, revising, and publishing. While teachers can adapt the structure to meet class needs, omitting core steps may hinder students’ writing development, emphasising the need for a flexible but comprehensive approach to teaching writing across a school.
Getting writing instruction right [LINK]
SRSD (Self-Regulation Strategy Development) is an effective approach for teaching writing, focusing on helping students become independent writers by using specific strategies. The process involves teaching one writing technique at a time, demonstrating its use, providing resources for reference, and encouraging students to apply it in their writing. SRSD is validated through research and integrates well with other principles of effective writing instruction, promoting both the mastery of ;craft moves’ and self-regulation in young writers.
Spelling and handwriting provision: A checklist [LINK]
This checklist will help writing coordinators ensure that their spelling and handwriting provision is fit for purpose and reflects the latest research and thinking about quality handwriting and spelling instruction.
How we can support children as they are writing [LINK]
This article offers teachers and writing coordinators proven strategies to support children as they are writing.