Each genre is discussed in whole group writing meetings. Children are expected to publish work in each of these genres. Children use notebooks for collecting ideas and rehearsing possible writing topics, and they do a great deal of curriculum-related writing. In the spring, children undertake a research project. They choose a topic, decide on the relevant questions and learn how to gather the necessary information.
Children then write the research in a genre they feel is well-suited to their topic.
At this stage, children are expected to be moving toward using standard spelling on a regular basis. Whole group meetings are held on spelling strategies and children are worked with in individual editing conferences. Instruction involves both small and whole group activities, as well as individual work. Children are asked to articulate their understandings orally and in a variety of written contexts. Meaningful problem-solving is an important part of the curriculum, and children are exposed to a variety of strategies with which to solve them.