RESEARCH-INFORMED K–2 WRITING CURRICULUM
Backed by Research. Built for Results.
Building Primary Writers incorporates evidence-based instructional practices that support the development of strong, confident writers. Every lesson is intentionally designed around established writing research, combining explicit instruction, mentor texts, systematic skill development, collaborative discussion, and authentic writing opportunities to help students build lasting writing proficiency.
Our research brief highlights the instructional practices and research that informed the development of Building Primary Writers.
DOWNLOAD OUR RESEARCH BRIEFImplement a structured, research-backed writing framework that provides explicit instruction and systematic skill development.
Explore carefully selected mentor texts that model the qualities of strong authors and inspire authentic writing.
Access complete lesson plans and ready-to-teach resources with embedded differentiation that supports every learner.
Grounded in Writing Research
Building Primary Writers integrates research-supported instructional practices into every aspect of the curriculum. Every lesson is intentionally designed to help teachers teach writing with confidence while helping students become successful, independent writers.
Explicit Writing Instruction
Building Primary Writers provides explicit, teacher-led writing instruction that breaks complex writing skills into manageable steps. Through modeling, guided practice, and gradual release, students develop the confidence and skills needed to become successful writers.
Graham, S., Bollinger, A., Booth Olson, C., et al. (2012). Teaching Elementary School Students to Be Effective Writers. What Works Clearinghouse.
Systematic Skill Progression
Writing skills are introduced in a carefully sequenced progression that builds from one unit to the next. Students continuously apply previously learned skills while developing increasingly sophisticated writing across multiple genres.
Graham, S., McKeown, D., Kiuhara, S., & Harris, K. R. (2012). A Meta-Analysis of Writing Instruction for Students in the Elementary Grades.
Mentor Text Study
Students learn from authentic examples of strong writing through carefully selected mentor texts. Analyzing author's craft, text structure, vocabulary, and genre characteristics provides meaningful models that students can transfer into their own writing.
Dorfman, L., & Cappelli, R. (2017). Mentor Texts: Teaching Writing Through Children's Literature, K–6.
The Writing Process
Students develop strong writing habits by engaging in every stage of the writing process, including planning, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. Regular opportunities to refine their work help students become thoughtful, independent writers.
Graham, S., & Perin, D. (2007). Writing Next: Effective Strategies to Improve Writing of Adolescents in Middle and High Schools.
Purposeful Feedback and Revision
Frequent feedback, teacher conferencing, and structured revision opportunities help students strengthen their writing over time. Reflection and revision are embedded throughout the curriculum to promote continuous growth and writing independence.
Graham, S., Bollinger, A., Booth Olson, C., et al. (2012). Teaching Elementary School Students to Be Effective Writers. What Works Clearinghouse.
Academic Vocabulary
Explicit vocabulary instruction, structured discussions, and language supports help students strengthen both their writing and academic language. These instructional practices are especially beneficial for developing writers and multilingual learners.
August, D., & Shanahan, T. (Eds.). (2006). Developing Literacy in Second-Language Learners: Report of the National Literacy Panel on Language-Minority Children and Youth.
