Support the Individuality of Each and Every Learner, Regardless of Age or Preparation
One size fits all never works. With this in mind, Step Up to Writing provides variation and differentiation based on each student’s needs throughout 1,100+ strategies, across all four grade bands. Optional “Craft and Style” callouts within the strategies teach the three major text types while also providing opportunities for additional depth and richness.
General Education
- Strategies boost student writing to the next level
- Solid structure across the types of writing assignments
- Revision guidance
- Consistent strategies and multiple opportunities for practice
Gifted & Talented
- Focus on organizing information strategically to increase written impact
- Writers learn to effectively articulate complex thoughts and content
- Students perceive shades of meaning within words
English Language Learners
- Oral language development is encouraged
- Students develop an academic vocabulary
- Students stay actively involved
- Emphasis on relating and organizing information
At-risk & Special Education
- Strategies make abstract concepts concrete
- Guidance for better reading comprehension
- Use of multisensory approaches
- Confidence is built incrementally
- Organization and planning skills are emphasized
Study after Study Demonstrates the Effectiveness of Step Up to Writing
"Comparisons of baseline data to outcome data suggested that using a graphic organizer and a checklist improved students’ ability to write an article summary. My target students improved their average score from a 4.8 to a 9.5. The class average improved from 6.8 to 9.8 out of a total of 12 points."
— Nguyen, S. (2009). Graphic organizer and checklist: Strategies to improve summarization skills. (Master’s thesis). Retrieved from ProQuest. (1471124)
"All students showed significant growth in expository reading comprehension and writing, which was of comparable magnitude for both native English speakers and English language learners."
— Smith, K. A. (2008). Reading writers and writing readers: The impact of the Step Up to Writing literacy program on diverse 6th grade students. University of California, Irvine, and University of California, Los Angeles. (3334588)
"Improvement in organization was demonstrated through increase in use of transition words and appropriate order of sentence structures; improvement in content quality was demonstrated through increase in details and explanation/example sentences, as well as the strength of support."
— Velasco, R. (2009). Step Up to Writing, step into summaries: Improving the organization of student summary writing with the use of outlines. (Master’s thesis). (1471136)