Review:
Units Of Study In Opinion, Informational, And Narrative Writing By Lucy Calkins
overall review score: 4.5
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
score is between 0 and 5
Units of Study in Opinion, Informational, and Narrative Writing by Lucy Calkins is a comprehensive instructional series designed to support elementary and middle school teachers in teaching students how to craft high-quality opinion, informational, and narrative texts. The series provides structured lessons, strategies, and assessments to build students' writing skills across different genres, fostering their ability to communicate ideas effectively and creatively.
Key Features
- Genre-specific units focusing on opinion, informational, and narrative writing
- Structured lesson plans with clear learning objectives
- Emphasis on the writing process including planning, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing
- Strategies for engaging students in authentic writing experiences
- Assessment tools to monitor progress and inform instruction
- Teacher support materials with samples and exemplars
Pros
- Provides a well-organized framework for teaching different writing genres
- Supports differentiated instruction tailored to diverse learner needs
- Includes practical strategies that can be implemented directly in classrooms
- Encourages student agency and voice through engaging activities
- Offers comprehensive assessment tools for progress monitoring
Cons
- May require significant preparation time from teachers to implement effectively
- Some educators might find the scope or progression too rigid or formulaic
- Cost of the full series can be substantial for some schools or districts