Tentative Indicators Reflecting Instructional Strategies Frequently observed Students write frequently in all subjects, and the writing is integrated into instruction. Teachers spend substantial time on prewriting activities. Teachers focus on developing writers rather than developing portfolios, so that when it is time to put a portfolio together, students have a number of pieces from which to choose, most of them written as a natural outcome of their studies. The school tradition at a western Kentucky elementary school is that fourth graders do projects that include a variety of writing that can be used in their portfolios. One project is a blood drive for the local health department.
Students arrange a blood drive at the school.
Organizing and carrying out the drive requires that students write plans and instructions. Just before the drive begins, the students write persuasive pieces to convince community members to participate. Then, they parade through town leaving their writing at stores for the patrons. The blood drive leads to research about blood types, the need for blood, and how collected blood is used. On the basis of their experience, some students also write personal narratives or fiction.