Writing Philosophy

(Revised 5-22-01)

“Reading, writing, and oral language are the bedrock subjects of the curriculum, for they develop the competencies on which virtually all subsequent instruction and learning depends.”

                                                            - Handbook of Research on Improving Student Achievement

Writing is one of the foundational skills necessary to communicate ideas, clarify thinking, and enhance learning.  Writing is interwoven throughout all subject areas; therefore, writing instruction provides opportunities for students to write for a variety of purposes including personal narratives, as well as factual and informative writing.  Explicit instruction and modeling of effective writing strategies starts with our youngest students and continues throughout a student’s educational experience.  A balance of both teacher- and student-directed writing opportunities supports the eventual goal of developing competent, self-directed writers.  A variety of approaches and methods are used to reach this goal through a literacy-rich environment, an environment overflowing with exemplary literature and other reading materials.

This print-rich environment goes beyond just published authors and materials.  Student writing is evidenced on walls, in class books, journals, and in portfolios.  Students understand and apply the steps of the writing process in their work, thus some writing is in a final published form, while others are still in process ready to be revised or edited at a future date.  Just as professional writers receive feedback and revise their work, so too do these student writers.  Feedback may come from a teacher, peer, or the student’s own self-reflection.  In any case, students recognize that writing is a fluid, interactive process between the writer and the written word.  Students, like their counterparts in the real world, continually reflect on their writing and identify areas for growth or improvement of their skills.  Furthermore, writing celebrations, whether those of students’ or professional writers’, honor and create authentic experiences for students to share their work and show their growth over time as writers. 

Tahoma School District is committed to a comprehensive writing program that provides our students with instruction and opportunities to develop their skills and strategies to become competent communicators through the written word.   The key elements include:

• Implementation of the Washington Essential Academic Learning Requirements for writing
• Writing for a variety of purposes and audiences
• Teacher- and student-directed writing opportunities
• Understanding and application of all steps of the writing process
• Writing assessment using the Six Traits of Writing, and other rubrics and scoring guides
• Writing Celebrations from Author’s Chair to Author’s Faire