Providing concise summaries in 3 sentences or less: Differentiated writing instruction can improve student writing when it includes scaffolded instruction, explicit explanations, modeling, and frequent writing opportunities. Struggling writers may need direct skills instruction and more time to write, while advanced writers can be challenged to experiment with different forms and submit writing for publication. This document provides suggestions for helping both struggling and advanced writers through differentiation in topics, writing supports, and opportunities for publishing.

1. Writing Success through Differentiation

3. Explicit explanations

4. Modeling

7. battle with mechanics

9. Provide direct skills instruction

10. Allow them to pick own writing topic – write about interests as much as possible

13. My Picture My Sentence Cut and Paste My Words

17. Descriptive Writing Menu – GOING WEST4th Grade C Layer: CHOOSE 1 of the following: (40 points) __________ Create a chart listing pros and cons of going west. __________ Write a letter to a friend explaining why your family decided to go west & your friend’s family did not. __________ Draw a map of a trail heading west. Illustrate challenges that could be faced along the way. Be ready to explain. __________ Write 5 entries into a journal detailing how your family decide to go west or not to go west. B Layer: CHOOSE 1 of the following: (35 points) __________ Create a Power Point Presentation about Going West and share with the class. __________ Design a children’s book with pictures & text that could teach someone younger about Going West. __________ Dress the part of someone heading west. Bring in 3 other items to help you explain the challenges you would have faced going west. Give discussion to class. A Layer: CHOOSE 1 of the following: (25 points) __________ Would you have had the courage to explore unchartered territory such as the Old West? Would you have allowed your family to go? Why or why not? Give details that you have learned about in class. __________ Space exploration is the modern day frontier. Is it beneficial to continue to send people into space even though there are great risks? Why or why not? Explain in detail. *Pros/cons of why people traveled west can help you decide your position.

18. Descriptive Writing- ELA5th Grade Level C- Choose from the following to complete 35 Points. __________ Describe what you think would be the best vacation. (10 points) __________ Choose a picture from a newspaper/magazine, cut & paste to paper and write 5 descriptive details about it. (5 points) __________ Describe the best movie you have ever seen without mentioning the title. (10 points) __________ Pick one of the brown paper bags. Write a description about the object inside (you can’t peek). Use sensory words to describe the object. (5 points) __________ Use sensory details to describe the best meal you have ever eaten. (5 points) Level B – Choose from the following to complete 25 Points. __________ Create a Venn diagram comparing 4th & 5th grade. Must include at least 5 similarities and 5 differences . (10 points) __________ Think of a well-known person, such as a sports figure, movie star, historical person, etc. Write an introductory paragraph about the person without telling the name. Use adjectives, adverbs, and prepositional phrases to describe this person. (15 points) __________ Think of a topic. Make a list of sensory words to describe your topic. Try to use at least 10 words. (5 points) __________ Choose a topic and create an outline that gives descriptive details (sensory details, adjectives, adverbs, prepositional phrases) (15 points) Level A - Choose 1 of the following to complete 40 points. __________ Write 2-3 descriptive paragraphs about a topic you have learned in science or social studies. Must be edited for correct spelling, grammar, capitalization, and mechanics. __________ Write 2-3 descriptive paragraphs about a topic you would like to research. Must be approved by the teacher. Must be edited for correct spelling, grammar, capitalization, and mechanics.

22. WEBSITES www.storyit.com/starters www.donjohnston.com www.writingfix.com/traits_primary.htm#forkids