The purpose of the Writing Block is to build fluency in writing, to apply the writing process, to apply knowledge of phonics, and to build students' confidence as writers. Reading is reinforced through writing activities in this block. The teacher first models real writing while teaching a mini-lesson on a specific writng skill or strategy.
Students write on self-selected or assigned topics and share their writing with classmates.
The teacher will hold individual editing conferences with designated students while the other students write. Selected pieces are taken through all the steps of the writing process to final publication. Each day students spend 30-40 minutes in the Writing Block.