Feedback from the Field

"I am a 4th-grade teacher at Mermentau Elementary. This past summer, I was introduced to your writing program by my instructional assistant, Jackie Hanisee. I looked over the program and received special permission from my school board to utilize the program this year. I am now going into week eleven of the program, and I can't tell you how impressed I am with my students' progress. This is my 12th year teaching 4th grade, and it is the first time that I actually feel like I'm getting through to my students in writing! Writing time is now something my students and I look forward to each day. My students have taken to the skills I've taught them. They are not only using the skills in writing, but in other subject areas. When we are reading, they stop me to tell me about some good writing practice they see in the reading. I am so confident in my teaching of writing that I asked my principal to observe my teaching of writing for my formal observation. I just wanted to share with you the success I'm having, and let you know how thankful I am to be using this writing program."

 

Sincerely,

Amanda Miller

4th-grade teacher

Mermentau Elementary

Feedback from the Field

"We are loving CraftPlus and thank our lucky stars every day for having it. Our children are enjoying learning about a thesis statement, strong verbs, and descriptive attributes. We like how the assessments are built in each week and how grammar is integrated throughout...we find it very user friendly."

-Lori Rosenberg, primary writing teacher at Imagine Charter School at Broward in Coral Springs, FL

Ways to End an Expository Piece

A good ending is like a great dessert: it ends a delicious piece perfectly. Many students struggle with ending their writing pieces, but good endings are not rocket science. They are chosen by the writer from a list of possible ending types.  The K-5 writer should have practice with at least four

common expository ending techniques:

· Remind the reader of a piece’s major points: “Remember, if you ever find yourself in a house full of germs, drink lots of fluids, get your rest, and wash, wash, wash your hands.

· Give advice: "Take it from me, if you want to save yourself a lot of trouble, just do your chores.”

· Feelings statement: “I love the way that butterflies change during their lives.”  

Give your students a chance to create a satisfying ending by helping them master just three simple writer’s techniques. (Reader, you’ve just been reminded. J )

Yours in joyful writing education,

Susan Koehler