Скачать или смотреть Ep 5 From Acronyms to Autonomy: A Better Way to Teach Writing in upper elementary and middle school

🏀 What does Steph Curry’s pregame warm-up have to do with writing instruction? Everything.

In this episode, I'm comparing the basketball legend’s unpredictable, skill-building practice routine with the way we should be preparing students to write. You’ll hear two stories...one courtside, and one from a humid gym in 1986... that illustrate exactly why rigid acronyms and overstructured templates can freeze young writers in their tracks.

If your students ask, "What do I do next?" every time they write, this episode breaks down:

➡️Why too many acronyms can backfire in the classroom
➡️How to build confident, intuitive writers using quick writes and daily reps
➡️What “joy points” and “sophistication” look like in middle school essays
➡️The two acronyms I do use (and why they actually work)

Whether you're a teacher or homeschool parent, this episode is a must-listen if you want to raise writers who can “shoot” from any direction...just like Steph.


🚨Grab the first module of my PD for free here: https://structured-writing-teacher.my...

📝 Looking for writing professional development? My 10-module video course will walk you through ALL the steps of an engaging writer's workshop. You'll see pictures of it in action, and I take a deep, deep dive into HOW to teach the 6 high-priority skills. A bonus module goes deep into the world of teaching essays in middle school. More details here: https://structured-writing-teacher.my...

Here is what you'll learn in the full training:

✏️Overview: Components of A Structured Writing Workshop
Student Leaders
Choice by Design
Power Lessons
Diamond Mining

✏️MODULE 1 Why All the Structure?
Routines over Process
Focus on Writers not Products
The Importance of 3&7

✏️MODULE 2 Set The Scene
Setting
Lights
Music
Quotes

✏️MODULE 3 Handing Over the Keys (Student Leaders)
Student Leadership Jobs
Scripts
Line Length Goals & PRs
The one component to NOT skip

✏️MODULE 4 Teacher Takes the Stage (Power Lessons)
The First Lesson of the Year
The 6 High-Priority Skills
Voice
Hooks
Sentence Complexity
Figurative Language
Vivid Imagery
Show, don't tell
7-minute Dynamic Direct Instruction
Gradual Release Model

✏️MODULE 5 Voice & Choice (Choice By Design)
Benefits of Limited Choice
Pick a Path
Genre Street
Rant & Rave Road
Spinner & Dare Drive
Reluctant Writers

✏️MODULE 6 Diamond Mining
Definition
Trios
Drama of a ‘reveal’
Handling misbehavior

✏️MODULE 7 Essays, Grading, and Grammar
Blocks vs Workshop
Reflect real world expectations
“Deconstruct” an essay
Warm-Ups- engaging AND standards-based

✏️MODULE 8A The Six Super Skills (Power Lessons)
Hierarchy of Skills
Voice
Hooks
Sentence Complexity

✏️MODULE 8B The Six Super Skills(Power Lessons)
Figurative Language
Vivid Imagery
Show, don't tell
Test Prep Boot Camps

✏️MODULE 9 Implementation
Where to find the Resources You Need
Quick-Start Launch
Get Ready Checklist

✏️MODULE 10 Bonus episode!
Essay deep dive
Claims, evidence, reasoning
RACE strategy
Writing intervention

➡️Purchase the training here:
https://structured-writing-teacher.my...


I'm Robin, a middle school teacher and the author of ten children's novels with Disney Hyperion and HarperCollins.

Our workshop reflects the same process I use when working with my editors. I say "our workshop" because that's the point of the workshop... it isn't just a time for me to give lessons and assign a writing assignment. It's THEIR time to tinker and be fearless and try out new things.

They love practicing writing skills with topics that interest them. I use the number 3 and 7 a lot in my workshop... from the writing trios to the lesson minutes... it's all based on brain research.

Do we have time to get in all the standards-based lessons and essays? YES.

My essays are taught in a "block" and skills are taught in the workshop. This way, the skills transfer to ALL types of writing, not just product-driven essays.

So this is a STRUCTURED & STUDENT-LED workshop.

Here are the 5 steps:
1. Set the mood for writing
2. Issue the writing challenge
3. Student leaders
4. The Six Skills Power lessons (the teacher's mini-lessons, but timed by the leaders!)
5. Diamond mining (the secret sauce!)

✅ MY TEACHERS PAY TEACHERS STORE
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/S...

✅ WEBSITE
https://structuredwritingteacher.com/

✅ TIKTOK
/ structuredwritingteacher

✅ EMAIL
[email protected]

✅ THE STRUCTURED WRITING TEACHER BLOG
https://structuredwritingteacher.blog...