Kaycee+School

The following was originally published August 10, 2009 at http://maryodenbach.blogspot.com/2009/08/write-stuff.html This year Kaycee School is implementing a writing intervention dubbed "The Write Stuff." The intervention sets a standard for all work that will be passed into a teacher's basket, as well as that of teachers and other staff members. Here are the 10 Write Stuff expectations:

1. Writing has main idea. 2. Writing answers the question. 3. Writing has details, examples, evidence, etc. 4. Writing is organized. 5. Writing has been reviewed. 6. Writing has neat penmanship and is easily read. 7. Sentences are complete and make sense. 8. Writing includes transition words or phrases. 9. Effort is demonstrated to correct spelling errors. 10. Writing has been edited.

Teachers at every grade and in every content area will expect the same level of quality from students, according to what can be expected developmentally, of course. Details of how to maintain quality and gather data throughout the year are being worked out in these weeks before school starts. I think this is a great step for this school - it's manageable here, where in bigger schools it could be really difficult to implement. The common language and expectations will only help students when it comes to taking pride in what they create.