Writing

The Kyrene School District has adopted Step Up To Writing as it's special education resource program.  It offers a collection of writing strategies and a multisensory approach that includes common language, critical thinking, the writing process and reading comprehension. 

Step up to Writing teaches multiple genres.

Step up to Writing connects reading and writing.

Step up to Writing aligns with the 6-Traits.

Step up to writing increases content area success.

Here are a few of our favorite links:

Step Up to Writing

Step Up to Writing® is the program that we use in the resource room for teaching written expression. It features research-based, validated strategies and activities that help students proficiently write narrative, personal narrative, and expository pieces. Students are actively engaged in reading materials for improved comprehension; and demonstrate competent study skills.

• Creates a common language and approach across grade levels and content areas
• Provides models of student writing for teacher and student reference
• Employs writing as a tool for content learning
• Explicitly connects reading and writing
• Teaches all stages of the writing process, with an emphasis on planning
• Provides specific tips for students in Primary Level
• Aligns with the Six Traits assessment model and prepares children for standardized tests.
• Provides techniques that children remember and can use to write single paragraphs or more complex essays.

The Step-Up-To-Writing program has been adopted to improve the writing skills of all students—regardless of ability level. The following pages have been designed to help parents and students succeed using the Step Up To Writing Program.

Students will become familiar with the 3 main steps in writing by relating them to colors-- green, yellow and red.  This style of writing can be used to write a one paragraph composition. Click on the buttons to see how it is done!   Topic Sentence: The main topic of the paragraph is stated. Reason/Detail/Fact: Give the reader a main reason, detail or fact that relates to and supports the topic sentence.  Use transitions (First of all..., Secondly.., Another.., The reason I think this..) to start these sentences. Explain: Give an example for the statement made in the reason/detail/fact sentence. Concluding Sentence :   The topic is restated to remind the reader what the paragraph was about.

Writing a Topic Sentence
The place to state why you are writing this paragraph.

The topic sentence is an occasion / position statement.
Lets break it down to see what that means.

• Occasion = Reason for writing
• Position = What you plan to prove or explain

Example of a Topic Sentence:
( Bold is the occasion part of sentence, Italic is the position part of sentence.

Unless you are willing to take risks , you may not reach your goals.

After I tried out for band, I learned that there were several things that I had to do for a good performance. as we

Writing a Reason / Detail Sentence
The place to give the reader a main reason, detail or fact that relates to and supports the topic sentence.

Example of a Reason / Detail Sentence in YELLOW :

After I tried out for band , I learned that there were several things that I had to do for a good performance. The first reason, I like the band is that it has given me the chance to play on my drums.

Writing the Explain / Example Sentence
The place to give an example or explain about the statement made in the reason/detail/fact sentence.

	The E's are what you use to support your reason sentence.The E's back up your reasons, details, or facts and make it fun to read your writing.
	Examples Explanations Evidence Events Experiences Expert opinions Everyday life Effective illustrations Elaboration

Example of an Explain / Example Sentences in Red :

After I tried out for band , I learned that there were several things that I had to do for a good performance. The first reason, I like the band is that it has given me the chance to play on my drums. Practicing on my drums allows me to be a better performer. Becoming a better player makes it easier for me to be in front of people on stage.

Writing the Conclusion / Concluding Sentence
The place to restate and remind the reader about what the paragraph or composition was about.

Go back and read your topic sentence. Identify the key words and ideas that you have written in the sentence. Use synonyms (words that mean the same thing) to restate you topic sentence.

	Words to help start your conclusion sentence:
	All in all Certainly Clearly Truly Definitely In conclusion In fact   Obviously Surely To sum up

This is your last chance to convince your readers about your point of view.

Example of an Conclusion / Concluding Sentences in Neon Green :

After I tried out for band , I learned that there were several things that I had to do for a good performance. The first reason, I like the band is that it has given me the chance to play on my drums. Practicing on my drums allows me to be a better performer. Becoming a better player makes it easier for me to be in front of people on stage. Clearly, what I have experienced by being in band has helped me to grow and be a better musician.

Things to think about:
The topic is restated to remind the reader what the composition was about.
Think about what idea or feeling you want to leave your reader with.

You want to avoid:
Introducing a new topic
Phrases such as:  as I have said, as I proved, as you can see

Multiple paragraph essays.On-line practice guides:
http://www.sjsd.k12.mo.us/schools/skaith/maugh/pages/resources/step_up_to_writing/index.html
http://www.sjsd.k12.mo.us/schools/skaith/maugh/pages/resources/step_up_to_writing/stepup_form.html
Step up to writing curriculum:http://www.aesd.k12.ca.us/step_up_to_writing.htm
This method is used to write one paragraph or multiple paragraph essays. The following is an example of a 7-sentence paragraph composition:

There are many ways the three main steps (green, yellow, red) can be applied. You can see some examples in the chart below. By the third quarter of second grade, it is expected that each student will be writing 10 sentence paragraphs using a pattern like number four in the chart below.

Step Up To Writing incorporates the standard writing process of other programs: