Describe and model age-appropriate writing strategies, sequencing basic strategies before complex ones¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

The guide advises matching strategy instruction to grade level: "Focus on basic strategies, such as POW (Pick ideas, Organize their notes, Write and say more) and brainstorming and ordering, in 1st or 2nd grade," while more complicated strategies such as brainstorming and outlining are introduced in 3rd grade or later. Teachers describe and model strategies usable for one or more components of the writing process. An example table adapted from Graham and Harris (2005) maps POW to grades 1-6 and ordering ideas/outlining to grades 1-2 versus 3-6.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Teachers explicitly describe and model each strategy
• Strategy selection follows the printed grade-range guidance

Constraints¶

• More complicated strategies such as outlining are deferred until 3rd grade or later

Target Learners¶

• elementary school students in grades 1-6

Target Learning Goals¶

• planning writing
• selecting and using writing strategies

Related Strategies¶

• Guide students to select, match, and adapt writing strategies to situations

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Graham, S., Bollinger, A., Olson, C. B., D'Aoust, C., MacArthur, C., McCutchen, D., & Olinghouse, N. (2012). Teaching Elementary School Students to Be Effective Writers: Instructional Tips Based on the Educator's Practice Guide. What Works Clearinghouse, NCEE 2012-4058. https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/PracticeGuide/17