Sopris Learning Announces the Step Up to Writing Implementation
Guide to Help Teachers Successfully Teach the Three Forms of
Writing Specified in the Common Core State Standards
LONGMONT, Colo., Nov. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Sopris
Learning, a provider of research-based assessments, supplemental
and intervention materials, positive behavior supports, and
professional development offerings, is pleased to announce the
release of the Step Up to Writing® Implementation
Guide for grades K–5. This all-new Implementation Guide, by
Maureen Auman, provides a scope and
sequence for teaching informative/explanatory, narrative, and
opinion writing and an assessment plan to monitor students'
progress.
With the application of the Common Core State Standards under
way, this new Step Up to Writing Implementation Guide
provides the "how-to" for teaching writing and meeting the
specifications of CCSS to build college- and career-ready
students.
"The Step Up to Writing Implementation Guide is a
valuable resource for teachers implementing Step Up to
Writing strategies," says Stephanie
Hensley, assistant professor and field director in the
Teacher Education Department at Adams State University,
Alamosa, Colorado. "It
provides a framework of units and lessons specific to
informative/explanatory, opinion, and narrative writing genres that
are aligned to the Common Core State Standards."
This all-new Implementation Guide includes:
- Informative/explanatory, narrative, and opinion writing scope
and sequence to help teachers easily design a lesson plan that
incorporates these types of writing in any subject area
- Adaptable lesson plans following the program scope and sequence
for grades K–5, so that teachers can successfully teach the three
forms of writing specified in the Common Core State Standards
within a school year
- Guidelines for aligning Step Up to Writing strategies
with 6+1 Trait® Writing and Writer's Workshop
- An assessment plan, including progress monitoring to ensure
that students are given the instruction they need at every grade
level and skill level
"The Common Core State Standards describe what the
writing should look like, but they do not help teachers understand
how to teach the process of writing. Step Up to Writing
provides the scaffolded instruction necessary to teach this
process," says Deana Hippie, Step Up to Writing trainer in
Riverside County, California.
"Because teaching writing is so complex, teachers often feel that
they don't know where to start their instruction. The Step Up to
Writing Implementation Guide provides a clear scope and
sequence and effectively breaks down the process into manageable
steps, giving teachers a framework for instruction that includes
adequate time for teaching and practicing the strategies."
"At Sopris Learning, we are pleased to continue our leadership
role in providing research-based writing materials to schools
nationwide," says George Logue,
president of Sopris Learning. "The importance of students'
development of writing strategies and skills continues to grow, and
proficiency in this area is essential in order to advance academic
achievement. Step Up to Writing provides the foundation
necessary for success in the high-stakes testing environment as
well as the lifelong ability to communicate clearly and effectively
in all settings."
Step Up to Writing provides research-validated,
hands-on, multisensory writing strategies and activities that
help students proficiently write informational/explanatory,
narrative and personal narrative, and opinion pieces. These
strategies also foster development of critical thinking, reading
comprehension, and speaking and listening skills and help establish
writing as a process rather than as an end product.
Step Up to Writing strategies help students actively
engage in reading materials for improved comprehension and
demonstrate competent study and critical-thinking skills. This
comprehensive resource creates a common writing language throughout
the grade levels and content areas. With multiple strategies for
each phase of the writing process, Step Up to Writing can
fill in the gaps in the core curriculum or act as the core writing
instruction.
About Sopris Learning
Sopris Learning, a member of Cambium Learning® Group,
is committed to bringing learning to life for students and making
professional growth meaningful for educators. We are proud to
represent the life's work of world-renowned researchers and
education leaders. For 35 years, Sopris Learning has supported
teachers and students with a range of proven assessments, academic
interventions, literacy and math supplements, positive behavior
supports, and professional development. With a firm commitment to
translating research into practice, we have helped schools and
districts boost student participation, improve test scores, and
increase graduation rates. Sopris Learning is a business unit of
Cambium Learning® Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABCD) based in
Dallas, Texas. For more
information, please visit
www.soprislearning.com.
Media Contact:
Shannan Overbeck
Cambium Learning Group, Inc.
214.932.9476
shannan.overbeck@cambiumlearning.com
Investor Contact:
Chris Cleveland
214.932.9474
chris.cleveland@cambiumlearning.com
SOURCE Sopris Learning