The Inspired Writer blog. Writing, learning, and living with the Common Core Standards.

3 Great Reasons to Collect Your Own Student Writing Samples

By Suzanne Klein on 1/12/2012 9:22 AM
Once K-5 teachers have a strong foundation using the writer's workshop model,they may want to use their own anonymous to inspire student learning. Binder of 3rd grade writing samples collected by Denise Dusseau for next year's class. Once teachers are well-grounded in the WriteSteps lessons, collecting class samples can be a great way to honor student work and help your evaluations.

Today I'm pleased to welcome back our 3rd grade curriculum creator and incredible teacher, Denise Dusseau. Here's Denise, on using anonymous student writing samples with K-5 writers:

Denise: WriteSteps provides dozens of excellent anonymous samples for each grade, but I started creating my own collections when I was still using the Lucy Calkins program. Whether or not you already have plenty of anonymous student sample writing to use in your lessons, using samples from your own students can be powerful. Why?

• they honor your students' work
• they reflect the unique culture of your school
• they can help your evaluations

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Motivating Young Writers to Revise

By Suzanne Klein on 12/9/2011 12:55 PM
Teacher Denise Dusseau created the 3rd grade curriculum for the Common Core WriteSteps

Today’s blog features simple and effective teaching tips from our 3rd grade Curriculum Creator, Denise Dusseau. Denise is a gifted classroom teacher who used the Lucy Calkins writing program until we launched the Common Core WriteSteps in September.

She reported in our December Inspired Writer eNewsletter that since she started using WriteSteps, even her struggling writers are making wonderful gains! A quarter of her students have learning disabilities and/or ADD.

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