Pennsylvania

Writing Curriculum


The Simplify Writing® Curriculum is aligned to the Pennsylvania Core Standards and the Pennsylvania State Literacy Plan. It provides direct, explicit writing instruction during the literacy block that supports any reading program that meets Senate Bill 801 and Act 135. It prepares students for the TDA writing and conventions portions of PSSA assessments.

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YOUR STUDENTS DESERVE QUALITY LESSONS

Why Simplify Writing® is the Best Choice for Pennslyvania Students

Systematic,
Explicit Lessons

We provide teachers with flexible writing lessons that can be used in both universal and intervention settings.

SoR-Aligned Encoding

Our lessons support the relationships between sounds and words as students learn to spell.

Supports Individual Learning Plans

We provide tools and training to help teachers provide interventions and instructional services to support ELLs.

Includes Professional Development

We include a rigorous graduate level writing training on using evidence-based practices in the literacy block.

Simplify Writing®
Research-Based Components

Component

Evidence

Systematic, Explicit Instruction

Every Simplify Writing® unit focuses on one targeted skill, breaking down the writing process into manageable pieces for clarity. Teachers use direct instruction to model each skill and provide opportunities for students to immediately apply it in their own writing.


Graphic Organizers

Consistent graphic organizers are used for each part of the writing process from Kindergarten to 8th grade, providing a framework for students to map ideas and organize their thoughts. 


Integration with Reading

Students will interact with high-quality mentor texts and reference texts throughout each unit. Authentic writing tasks also allow students to apply and extend their comprehension skills in writing. Finally, students will use and apply phonics skills for encoding, connecting the tasks of reading and writing. 


Modeling & Exemplar Usages

Teacher models are the cornerstone of every Simplify Writing® unit, with guidance that shows teachers exactly how to use the mentor texts provided to model skills for students. Student exemplars are also provided for every genre to show authentic writing at a range of levels. 


Consistent & Timely Feedback

The Simplify Writing® curriculum uses quick check-ins, peer feedback, small groups, and 1-on-1 conferring to ensure all students have the support they need to grow as writers. 

Science of Writing
Research-Based Components

Systematic, Explicit Instruction

Every Simplify Writing® unit focuses on one targeted skill, breaking down the writing process into manageable pieces for clarity. Teachers use direct instruction to model each skill and provide opportunities for students to immediately apply it in their own writing.


Graphic Organizers

Consistent graphic organizers are used for each part of the writing process from Kindergarten to 8th grade, providing a framework for students to map ideas and organize their thoughts. 


Integration with Reading

Students will interact with high-quality mentor texts and reference texts throughout each unit. Authentic writing tasks also allow students to apply and extend their comprehension skills in writing. Finally, students will use and apply phonics skills for encoding, connecting the tasks of reading and writing. 


Modeling & Exemplar Usages

Teacher models are the cornerstone of every Simplify Writing® unit, with guidance that shows teachers exactly how to use the mentor texts provided to model skills for students. Student exemplars are also provided for every genre to show authentic writing at a range of levels. 


Consistent & Timely Feedback

The Simplify Writing® curriculum uses quick check-ins, peer feedback, small groups, and 1-on-1 conferring to ensure all students have the support they need to grow as writers. 

THE PENNSYLVANIA TEACHER EXPERIENCE

"growth was amazing..."

"We love [Simplify Writing] so much and use it every day!! The growth our students have shown during the first unit was amazing. On a sidenote, the lesson dedicated to working on their illustrations and following the rubric was genius...their illustrations have improved so much and I never thought to dedicate a lesson to that in the past. I know their writing will continue to be amazing because of Simplify Writing."

-Christine (1st grade teacher)

Harrisburg, PA

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