What we value about great writing

Fun/Joy:
Great writers enjoy writing. As such writing needs to be something that is presented with enthusiasm in every classroom. Great writing must be celebrated. We must provide audiences for our kids to present their writing.

Process:
Writing is an incremental process, and that process (arguably) needs to manifest itself in all classes on all assignments. We need to clearly articulate that process among our staffs so that it becomes an expectation.

Work as Craft:
Because writing is a process rooted in intention, it necessitates constant reflection. Our kids need to know and reflect on their work as a matter of craft. Too often our kids treat writing assignments as akin to other short-lived assignments (tests, quizzes, etc.) that they need simply to “get through”. They fail to see their written work as worthy of refinement.

Critical Thought:
We need to demand complexity of thought and interpretation in our kids’ writing. Persistent, deep inquiry is the root of critical thought and should be present and valued across content areas.

Tenacity:
Without doggedly pursuing excellence, our kids will not grow as writers. To facilitate this, our teachers need to create structures that encourage tenacity. The writing process must be such that such that the challenge presented in a given in assignment is commensurate with a students’ skill set, with each assignment building on the previously mastered skill.

Time :
We must dedicate time on teaching writing explicitly.

Providing Models :
Great writers look for and use models and find inspiration from various sources.