Inspiring Kids to Write

Havens students discuss their writing assignments as part of the Step Up to Writing program in Melissa Costello’s fifth grade class. The program is designed to improve the writing skills of all students using multi-sensory, classroom proven strategies and writing activities. A grant from PEF provided funds for the Step Up to Writing program material and in-service training for two teachers to implement the program and provide subsequent consultation with fellow teachers throughout the year.

“Step Up To Writing is a systematic program for organizing children's thinking in preparation of writing. It is a multi-sensory approach, which uses explicit, direct instruction to teach writing skills. This program provides our school site teaching staff with a common method and language with which to teach effective writing skills. This workshop also guides us in setting a high bar to achieve our district and state writing standards. Step Up to Writing gives the students a variety of skills to improve reading, writing, listening and speaking.

We are beginning to implement the strategies that we learned at Step Up to Writing and are meeting to confer on our results. After the winter break, we will be meeting with our peers to facilitate mini-lessons to share these excellent teaching strategies.”

Melissa Costello
5th grade teacher
Havens