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CraftPlus® has been
correlated to Michigan's nationally recognized English
Language Arts Grade Level Content Expectations (GLCE), a
set of tools that assist K-8 educators in linking what is
taught in the classroom with what students are tested on.
Read on to see how CraftPlus compares to and can be made
compatible with other instructional models.
The following GLCE correlations by grade
level were provided courtesy of Jane Funfgeld, K-4
Literacy Specialist, Novi Community Schools.
Kindergarten CraftPlus® GLCE Correlation
First Grade CraftPlus® GLCE Correlation
Second Grade CraftPlus® GLCE Correlation
Third Grade CraftPlus® GLCE Correlation
Fourth Grade CraftPlus® GLCE Correlation
Fifth
Grade CraftPlus® GLCE Correlation
Using CraftPlus® with other Programs, Resources, &
Instructional Models
Summary:
CraftPlus is the only comprehensive K-5, school wide,
writing-instruction resource. It alone includes a highly
specific, progressive curriculum; age-appropriate
instructional models and techniques; and a mechanism for
on-going staff-development. As such, CraftPlus
substantially and significantly expands and extends all
other competitive programs. It is also compatible with all
of them. Therefore, if a school is already using one of
these other programs, it is still an excellent candidate
for CraftPlus.
Following is a brief analysis of how CraftPlus both
complements and extends other writing products.
Units of Study
for Primary Writers (Calkins)
A K-2 instructional model
composed of scripted lessons based on the writing process
and designed for use by individual teachers.
|
Complements |
Extends |
|
Both products use a Writer’s Workshop environment, in
which children write on self-selected topics.
CraftPlus addresses the special needs of primary-grade
students. |
CraftPlus provides a
seamless, spiraling writing curriculum for a K-5
program. It provides age-appropriate lessons and
curriculum based on writing craft. It emphasizes
expository informational writing, the natural mode of
young children. |
Teaching the
Qualities of Writing, Grades 3-6 (Portalupi & Fletcher)
A 3-6 writing instruction resource composed of
model lessons and assessment tools designed for use by
individual teachers.
|
Complements |
Extends
|
|
Both products are based on writing craft. The lessons
in TQW could supplement those in CP. |
CraftPlus provides a
seamless, spiraling K-5 writing
curriculum. |
Stack the Deck Writing Program
A
series of composition books for grades 1-12 writing with a
focus on writing process, black-line masters, and drills.
|
Complements |
Extends |
|
Both products emphasize the connection between oral
language and writing. |
CraftPlus provides
lessons based on writing craft in a writer’s workshop
approach where students write on self-selected topics
and instruction is based on students’ needs. |
6 + 1 Traits –
K-12 (Culham)
An analytical model developed for
grades 3 and up to assess students writing based on Traits
and to help teachers recognize the traits. It does not
include a stand-alone writing curriculum.
|
Complements |
Extends |
|
Both products are based on writing craft. |
CraftPlus provides the
curriculum and instructional models & methodologies
needed to teach students the 6 + 1 Traits of writing
in grades K - 5 and up. |
The Write Source
A
series of student textbooks on how to write in grades
K-12.
|
Complements |
Extends |
|
Both products provide modes of writing craft and the
writing process. |
CraftPlus instructs
teachers on writing craft, how to teach it, and
how to manage a writing workshop. CraftPlus
Instruction can be modified based on students needs. |
Four Block
(Cunningham)
An instructional model based on
the critical components of literacy instruction. The four
blocks are: Guided Reading, Self-Selected Reading,
Writing, and Working with Words.
|
Complements |
Extends |
|
Both products support the connection between phonics
and learning to read and write. |
CraftPlus provides the
curriculum and instructional content and methodologies
for the writing block of classrooms using Four Block
as their language-arts structure. |
Comparative Analysis of CraftPlus®
and Units of Study for Primary Writers (Calkins)
|
CraftPlus |
Units
of Study for K–2
|
|
Includes an instructional model based on integrating
writing craft and developmentally appropriate
instructional strategies to teach writing in
kindergarten through 5th grade and up. |
Is an instructional model based on the writing process
with specific units for kindergarten through 2nd
grade. |
Curriculum is flexible, based on a teacher’s
assessment of students’ needs. Encourages and
facilitates differentiated instruction.
|
Follows a specific sequence of lessons within each
unit of study. |
Emphasizes expository writing (description,
informational, comparison), young children’s
(K-2) natural mode of writing.
|
Only one unit features non-fiction writing. Instead,
focuses on narrative writing, which requires an
ability to chronologically sequence events. Most
children are unable to do this before mid-year in
first grade, or later. |
Provides extensive lessons and shows teachers how to
create lessons, to implement a seamless, progressive
writing curriculum tuned to their student demographics
and state standards.
|
Provides scripted lessons. |
Provides for on-going, self-administered progressive
staff development, school wide. Accommodates attrition
and grade-assignment changes.
|
Designed for independent use by individual teachers.
Staff development requires outside consultants. |
Program Components
CraftPlus
|
Units of Study for K–2 |
|
16 Video Modules
11
Workshop and 5 Classroom Demonstrations |
1 CD-ROM
Includes supporting print and video material |
|
Curriculum of K-5 Writing-craft Skills
Comprehensive, progressive, specific. |
None |
|
Resource Handbook – Facilitators
Includes how to implement staff development study
groups, manage the resource materials, and assess the
writing program as it is implemented.
(1 copy) |
None |
|
Resource Handbook – Teachers
A comprehensive guide to implementing the CraftPlus
writing curriculum and taking part in study groups.
Includes grade-specific instructional plan for a year,
suggested 4- marking-period schedule, sample lesson
plans, student samples, black-line masters for student
reference handouts and overheads.
(20 copies, additional available) |
9
Resource Books –
For
One Teacher
1 - Overview/Introduction
7 - Units of Study
1 – Conferring Handbook
Instruction is not writing-craft oriented. |
|
15
Copies of 3 Professional Books by
Marcia Freeman:
Building A Writing
Community
Teaching The Youngest
Writers
Listen To This
:Developing an Ear for Expository |
None
|
Comparative Analysis of CraftPlus® and 6 + 1 Traits of
Writing
|
CraftPlus |
6 + 1 Traits of
Writing
|
|
Includes an instructional model based on integrating
writing craft and developmentally appropriate
instructional strategies to teach writing in
kindergarten through 5th grade, and up. |
An analytical model developed to assess student
writing in grades 3 and up. |
A
comprehensive writing education resource based on a
progressive curriculum of grade-level-appropriate
writing-craft skills. Rich in instructional and
classroom-management techniques, model lessons.
Encompasses all aspects of writers’ workshop. Provides
for ongoing, self-administered staff development,
school wide. Includes a parent-connection component.
|
An assessment framework that identifies traits of good
writing. It is not
a stand-alone writing program, but rather is meant to
be integrated into a writing instruction program.
CraftPlus is a particularly ideal fit. |
Explicitly shows teachers how to implement a seamless,
progressive writing curriculum based on
developmentally appropriate instruction for students
at each grade level. Its staff-development module
keeps the program evergreen in the face of staff
attrition and grade-assignment changes.
|
Provides staff development for teachers in assessing
student writing in grades 3 and up.
|
Program Components
CraftPlus
|
6
+ 1 Traits of Writing |
|
16 Video Modules
11
Workshop and 5 Classroom Demonstrations |
8 Videos |
|
Curriculum of K-5
Writing-craft Skills
Comprehensive, progressive, specific. |
None
|
|
Resource Handbook – Facilitators
Includes how to implement staff development study
groups, manage the resource materials, and assess the
writing program as it is implemented.
(1 copy) |
Facilitators Guide
Includes blackline masters for handouts and overheads |
|
Resource Handbook –
Teachers
A comprehensive guide to implementing the CraftPlus
writing curriculum and taking part in study groups.
Includes grade-specific instructional plan for a year,
suggested 4- marking-period schedule, sample lesson
plans, student samples, black-line masters for student
reference handouts and overheads.
(20 copies, additional available) |
None |
|
15
Copies of 3 Professional Books by
Marcia Freeman:
Building A Writing Community
Teaching The Youngest Writers
Listen To This: Developing an Ear for Expository
|
None provided |
Comparative Analysis of CraftPlus and
Teaching the Qualities of Writing, Grades 3-6
(Portalupi & Fletcher)
|
CraftPlus |
Teaching the
Qualities (3–6)
|
|
Includes an instructional model based on integrating
writing craft and developmentally appropriate
instructional strategies to teach writing in
kindergarten through 5th grade and up. |
A series of lessons exploring the qualities of writing
(ideas, design, language, presentation) and voice.
Limited to grades 3–6. |
|
Curriculum is flexible, based on a teacher’s
assessment of students’ needs. Encourages
and facilitates differentiated instruction. |
A program with a menu of pre-arranged teaching
cycles or sequences. |
Integrates writing craft instruction with 9 genre
blocks: personal narrative, informational, comparison,
fiction, book report, opinion, essay, process
description, and persuasion.
|
Limited to 4 genre blocks: narrative, poetry, fiction,
and nonfiction. |
Provides extensive lessons, and shows teachers how to
create lessons, to implement a seamless, progressive
writing curriculum tuned to their student demographics
and state standards.
|
Provides model lessons. |
Provides for on-going, self-administered progressive
staff development, school wide. Accommodates attrition
and grade-assignment changes.
|
Designed for independent use by individual teachers. |
Program Components
CraftPlus
|
Teaching the Qualities (3 – 6) |
|
16 Video Modules
11
Workshop and 5 Classroom Demonstrations |
1 CD-ROM
Includes
author videos, student writing discussions, print
resources. |
|
Curriculum of K-5 Writing-craft Skills
Comprehensive, progressive, specific. |
None |
|
Resource Handbook – Facilitators
Includes how to implement staff development study
groups, manage the resource materials, and assess the
writing program as it is implemented.
(1 copy) |
None |
|
Resource Handbook – Teachers
A comprehensive guide to implementing the CraftPlus
writing curriculum and taking part in study groups.
Includes grade-specific instructional plan for a year,
suggested 4- marking-period schedule, sample lesson
plans, student samples, black-line masters for student
reference handouts and overheads.
(20 copies, additional available) |
Lesson Cards for One Teacher
112 lessons
Student samples
Graphic organizers
Teachers Guide for One Teacher
Program overview
Planning charts
Assessment |
|
15
Copies of 3 Professional Books by
Marcia Freeman:
Building A Writing
Community
Teaching The Youngest
Writers
Listen To This:
Developing an Ear for Expository |
None
provided |
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