1. Ten Writing Instructional Strategies Every Teacher Should Know
Douglas Fisher
San Diego State University

2. Language Experience Approach
Students are active language users
Teacher transcribes students’
words (whole class,
small group, or
individual)
Students extend
text

3. Interactive Writing Oral Language Composition & Construction
“Sharing the pen”
students write
in front of their
peers

4. Writing Models Offers a pattern or form to scaffold writing
Using existing text
students insert
original writing

5. Generative or “Given Word” Sentences
Focus on the craft of writing
Lessons to refine
practice
Use student
examples for
editing
“No excuse”

6. Word Pyramids Requires students to consider lots of words
Explores and expands word knowledge
Dictionary use?

7. Power Writing Brief, timed writing events to improve fluency
Students chart their
own progress
Extension -
progressive
writing

8. Found Poems Student use existing text Select specific words/phrases
Arrange them in free-verse
Requires re-reading
of texts

9. RAFT Writing Role, Audience, Format, and Topic are explicitly taught
Perspective taking
is the focus

10. Writing to Learn What do students know and think? Brief prompts
Yesterday’s news – a review of class from the previous day
Crystal ball – a prediction of what might come next
Best thing I learned – a summary or analysis of the best part of class
Exit slip – a written review of the class completed before leaving the room
Not process papers

11. Independent Writing
Based on a prompt, students produce original writing
Multiple genres
Rubrics guide
students’
completion
of the task

12. Interactions: Writing and the Language Arts
Read aloud or shared reading
Independent reading
Word study (word wall)
Collaborative learning
centers
Individual and small
group instruction