As part of our new ELA curriculum, all D39 elementary schools will be using the Collaborative Classroom writing program, Being a Writer. This research-based program is designed to help students become confident, thoughtful writers who can express their ideas clearly and effectively. Through engaging writing experiences, mentor texts, collaborative discussions, and explicit instruction in the writing process, students develop skills in planning, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing their work. Students also learn to reflect on their writing, give and receive feedback, and appreciate the power of writing as a way to communicate and share ideas.

• Unit 1: The Classroom Community

• Unit 2: The Writing Process

• Unit 3: Personal Narrative

• Unit 4: Fiction

• Unit 5: Expository Nonfiction

• Unit 6: Opinion Writing

• Unit 7: Poetry

• Unit 8: Revisiting the Classroom Community

The word study component of our Being a Reader and Being A Writer programs provides explicit instruction in vocabulary, word analysis, spelling, and language conventions. Students explore how words work by studying spelling patterns, word structure, and vocabulary while strengthening their ability to decode, comprehend, and use new words in their reading and writing. This integrated approach helps students build strong language skills and become more confident, capable readers and writers.