Week 10

Best Practices in Writing Instruction

By: Steve Graham
Chapters 14 and 15

Chapter 14 of the book focuses on assessing writing. It outlines five key activities that
teachers can use to reinforce their students' writing skills. These activities include clarifying
criteria for success, eliciting samples of students' writing performance, providing constructive
feedback, engaging students as peer supports, and helping students take ownership of their
learning. By implementing these activities, teachers can identify the specific writing skills that
their students need to improve upon, and provide them with the necessary support to do so.
One of the ways in which teachers can clarify criteria for success is by using rubrics.
Rubrics can help students understand what is expected of them in their writing assignments, and
can help teachers evaluate their students' writing skills more objectively. Additionally, eliciting
samples of students' writing performance through questioning during teacher instruction, exit
tickets, and post-tests can provide teachers with valuable insights into their students' writing
abilities.
It is important for teachers to use specific techniques to motivate their students to
improve their writing skills. Providing both detailed and positive feedback can encourage
students to become better writers and believe in their ability to do so. Peer reviewing is another
effective technique that can help students identify mistakes in their writing that they may not
have noticed on their own. Incorporating peer reviewing in the classroom can also help students
become more familiar with the editing process, and improve their own editing skills.
Chapter 15 of the book focuses on instruction for students with special needs (SWD). It
emphasizes the importance of explicit, direct, and systematic writing instruction for SWD.
Teachers should gather and interpret data to conduct monitoring of SWD, and provide adapted
instruction or assessment methods to meet their unique needs. It is crucial for teachers to notice
the progress of their SWD students and provide them with the necessary support to help them
succeed in their writing skills.
As a future teacher, I will strive to be a positive role model and motivate my students to
succeed in all aspects of their education. I will incorporate the five reinforcing activities outlined
in Chapter 14 to help my students improve their writing skills. Additionally, I will use adapted
instruction and assessment methods as needed to meet the unique needs of my SWD students. By
doing so, I hope to help all of my students achieve success in their writing skills and beyond.

Graham, Steve, et al. Best Practices in Writing Instruction. Guilford Press, 2019.