180 Days to Successful Writers

Since earning her MEd from the University of Florida in 2000, Karen Donohue has worked to develop and implement a writing curriculum for elementary students. She has experience with Early Intervention programs with students in first-, third- and fourth-grade classrooms in both Reddick Collier Elementary in Reddick, Florida and Pine Forest Elementary in Marietta, Georgia. With student writing becoming a benchmark for students as young as first grade, Karen has researched, developed, and taught Staff Development courses for K-5 teachers. Her workshops titled "Writing to a Prompt (Grades K-5)," "Write Way to Success (Grade 3-5)," and "Writer's Workshop - Getting Started" have been implemented schoolwide at Pine Forest Elementary where she was a Grade 1 Team Leader. She is currently a Grade 1 Team Leader at Lockheed Elementary in Marietta, Georgia, where she is a member of the International Reading Association. Nanda Reddy earned her MEd from the University of Florida in 1999 and subsequently worked as a fourth grade teacher in Marion County, Florida. At her school, she served as a team leader and worked to develop a writing curriculum to accommodate the pressures of standardized tests and student writing needs. Nanda taught the curriculum at the school, and for that, she was honored as Rookie Teacher of the Year. She has workshopped this material under the titles "Teaching Reluctant Writers" and "Teaching Kids to Write" in both Florida and Reno, Nevada, where she now resides. Nanda, a member of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), currently works full time raising her family and writing fiction. She hopes to continue conducting writing workshops for teachers.

Preface Acknowledgments About the Authors 1. No-Brainers and Bosses: Laying the Foundation Curriculum Overview Goals Instruction Framework Preparing to Teach Week 1 Lesson Plans (Focus: Pretests and Prompt Differentiation) 2. Pickle Sandwiches and TCUPSS: Beginning Expository Writing Week 2 Lesson Plans (Focus: The Expository Writing Process) 3. Rainbow Words and Awe-Inspiring Adjectives: Enhancing Expository Week 3 Lesson Plans (Focus: Author's Voice) Week 3 Lesson Plans (Focus: Author's Voice) Week 5 Lesson Plans (Focus: Pace and Independence) 4. It all Started With a Tier Cake: Directing Narrative Structure Week 6 Lesson Plans (Focus: Narrative Story Structure) 5. Ask for Likely Similes and Vivacious Verbs: Enhancing Narratives Week 7 Lesson Plans (Focus: Syntax) Week 8 Lesson Plans (Focus: Strong Verbs) Week 9 Lesson Plans (Focus: Similes) 6. Dressing Things Up: Independent Writing Week 10 Lesson Plans (Focus: Metaphors) Week 11 Lesson Plans (Focus: Quotations) Week 12 Lesson Plans (Focus: Sensory Details and Skeleton Plans) Week 13 Lesson Plans (Focus: Hooks and Correcting Slang) Week 14 Lesson Plans (Focus: Timed Writing) Week 15 Lesson Plans (Focus: Anecdotes) 7. The Improvement Process: Diagnosing and Fixing Problems Week 16 Lesson Plans (Focus: Grammar and Using a Rubric) Week 17 Lesson Plans (Focus: Clarifying Problems) Week 18 Lesson Plans (Focus: Elaboration) Week 19 Lesson Plans (Focus: Conferencing and Self Reflection) Week 20 Lesson Plans (Focus: Organization) Week 21 Lesson Plans (Focus: Planning Difficult Prompts) Week 22 Lesson Plans (Focus: Common Grammar Problems) Week 23 Lesson Plans (Focus: Style, Voice, and Elaboration) 8. Timers and Deadlines: Preparing for a Test Week 24 Lesson Plans (Focus: Reviewing the Basics) Week 25 Lesson Plans (Focus: Writing Papers from Given Plans) Week 26 Lesson Plans (Focus: Cooperative Writing) Week 27 Lesson Plans (Focus: Studying for a Test) 9. Beyond Tests and Essays: Applying Expository Writing Knowledge An Overview of the Projects Adapting the Original Framework Planning the Remaining School Year Expository-Related Projects Project #1: Newspaper Writing Introducing Newspaper Journalism Editorials, Part One Editorials, Part Two Interviews and Feature Articles, Part One Interviews and Feature Articles, Part Two Breaking News Articles A Mini School Newspaper Project #2: Subject Reports Introducing Subject Reports Research Writing Subject Reports Project #3: List Poetry Personal List Poem Contrasting Lists Poem Object List Poem 10. Beyond Tests and Stories: Applying Narrative Writing Knowledge Narrative-Related Projects Project #1: Autobiography First Few Years Family, Home, School, and the Future Project #2: Chapter Books Character Sketches From Outline to Story Draft Project #3: Plays Introducing Plays and Sketches Three-Act Plays (Group Lesson) Three-Act Plays (Independent Practice) Project #4: Narrative Poetry One Sentence Narrative Poems Humorous Story Poems Real Life Ballads 11. Writing Outside the Lines: Advanced Lessons Using This Chapter Advanced Narrative Writing Point of View: Who Is Telling the Story? Tense: Once Upon a Time in the Future Characterization, Part One: Nose Pickers and Football Quarterbacks Characterization, Part Two: What Color Are Your Socks? Setting: It was a Dark and Stormy Night Hooks: Beyond Bangs Plot and Pace: And Then What? Plot and Pace: And Then What? Symbols and Themes: What's Your Drift? Putting it all Together: The Complete Package! Advanced Expository Writing Essay Topics: My Own Prompts Non-Prompted Writing: Organized Free Writing Knowledge-Based Writing: I'm the Expert - Listen to Me Contemplations: What's Your Theory? 12. Going School-Wide: Ideas to Create a Spiraling Curriculum Specific Writing Goals Adapting the Curriculum Kindergarten The Graphic Organizer Sample Lessons Suggested writing Topics First Grade The Graphic Organizer The Graphic Organizer Suggested Writing Topics Second Grade The Graphic Organizer Sample Lessons Suggested Writing Topics Resources Index

"This book provides a clear day-by-day instructional plan, including materials, objectives, step-by-step lesson plans, references for students, graphic organizers, prompts, and writing samples." -- Sonya Campbell, M. Ed., Teacher "The book is eminently practical and written with the kind of detail and clarity that allows every reader to move toward greater success in the teaching of writing...even under today's high pressure circumstances." -- Paul S. George, Distinguished Professor of Education "The strategies introduced in this book have worked exceedingly well with my own students. Teachers will marvel at how their students will grow as confident, successful writers when taking this systematic approach." -- Susan Kuhn, Teacher "I was most impressed with the extension lessons. As a teacher of gifted students, I am constantly questing well designed writing projects that encompass multiple skills and styles. (These) lessons, without modification, (are) valuable learning devices." -- Sue Gonyou, English Teacher "Addressing the needs of students who are missing basic literacy tools while also challenging students whose abilities are more developed, this book provides a compendium of teaching ideas for students to write for multiple purposes and in multiple genres, . . . (with) innovative avenues for teachers to work collaboratively with each other in shaping a writing program that makes sense for their own classrooms." -- Jane S. Townsend, Associate Professor "180 Days to Successful Writers is just the kind of instructional resource that teachers have been waiting for! This book provides simple, practical advice for developing an effective writing program in elementary classrooms . . . (and) a framework of step-by-step daily instruction." -- Devonne Harper, Ed.D., System-Wide Elementary Literacy Coach "The structured lesson plan format, the use of graphic organizers, and the incorporation of the writing process are key strategies that should be utilized to promote higher levels of writing. With all of the current research on the importance of writing across the curriculum, this book is a 'must have' for educators everywhere." -- Dr. Kelley Castlin, Principal "Donohue and Reddy . . . have provided a tested, skill-oriented program to alleviate the stress associated with teaching writing, and empower teachers with the confidence and stucture necessary for success." -- Tiffany DellaVedova, Teacher & Writing Program Coordinator "This book demystifies the writing process with a research-based, systematic and methodical approach. It gives teachers well planned, thorough lessons that . . . will guide students and give them the critical stepping stones to become proficient, confident writers in all genres. -- Kathleen E. Huntley, M.A.Ed. "I am so excited to have this program in written form. It has made such a difference in my students' writing abilities." -- Elizabeth Thomas, Interrelated Teacher, Special Education "Teachers who lack a clearly articulated instructional plan for teaching writing skills will appreciate this year's worth of lessons presented in a logical, linear format." -- Curriculum Connections, Fall 2006