Philosophy
As a child, if I’m honest, writing was not my favorite subject. I found it quite stressful and tedious. Too often, even today, writing is taught for grammar alone, focusing on spelling, conventions, and other such things. While these are important components in each writing piece, it is only one step of many in the writing process. I had a few excellent teachers and I learned that writing doesn’t have to be merely a puddle of information forced onto a page, but rather, a way to express yourself and use your voice—truly an art form.
It is my belief that writing in a step-by-step approach is the only way to get past the overwhelming nature of a writing project. This is where the “Step Up & Write” name for the program comes from. It is my sincere hope— and the very purpose of creating this writing curriculum— that all of our kids will have a love for writing; that they will use their voice and see how powerful it can be; that they will feel like they have some say in what they write about and control over their own writing rather than feel it is merely a forced assignment of someone else’s choosing. Not only is the program easy to follow, but students are able to produce a meaningful and comprehensive piece— over the course of weeks rather than days— that would be unattainable if not done one small step at a time.
It is amazing to see a child’s effort on a work they produce making a lasting impact, and even more memorable seeing a child’s face light up with pride as as they share the writing piece they worked so hard on. It is special to have a culminating work to show family and friends that will be held onto for years. Step Up & Write offers high quality and diverse creative writing units which, not only align with academic standards, but also foster a life-long love of writing in each child.
Background
I hold a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Dayton, along with a special needs endorsement and minor in Psychology. Having taught in 3rd and 4th grade classrooms in both Ohio and Georgia, my preference has always been creating my own reading and creative writing content as opposed to "following the textbook." I had the opportunity to present three times at writing conferences held for teachers throughout the district in both states. My presentations covered topics such as: using a writer's notebook to advance writing, generating creative writing ideas and units, and conferring with student writers to help set goals.
Over the years I have offered summer writing programs for students and tutored students individually in areas of reading and writing. Aside from the classroom, leading or co-leading extracurriculars--student fitness programs, robotics, and school musicals--has brought me great joy.
As a military spouse, I felt led to switch gears and homeschool my three children after a 2020 move across the country at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then, I've been creating lessons and content for my own children, whose grades range from Kindergarten to 6th grade. We are a military family going on 18 years, having lived in four countries and six states during that time. It has been an adventure experiencing many cultures, but it’s still nice to open a book and be transported to another place from the comfort of my couch. That is the power of writing, and your child may just be the next writer to transport, empower, motivate, entertain, or teach someone else!
About Step Up & Write
What is Step Up & Write?
Step Up & Write is an easy-to-follow, multi-grade creative writing program that utilizes each child’s unique interests and voice as they become student authors. Each day builds off the last in small steps until the young authors have completed a comprehensive final writing product they’re proud of. The program is suitable for grades 2 through 8.
Each writing unit will show day-by-day instruction, with notes on what can be expected for varying grade levels under each step. While the concept taught to each child will be the same no matter the grade, the expectation will be quite different based on age and ability.
Writing is so much more than the correct use of capitals, punctuation, and spelling. As a teacher, I would much rather see a writing piece with voice and feeling and creativity than a writing piece without those things and with perfect spelling. I don’t mean to undervalue grammar—there will be time to focus on grammar during the editing portion of each plan—but student’s will spend a great deal of time planning and revising their writing first. Step Up & Write is a creative writing program rather than a complete grammar program, so parents and teachers should expect to teach supplemental grammar outside of this program.
This is a comprehensive creative writing program. The final product will be something students will be proud of. Expect each unit to take between 3 to 8 weeks from start to finish, depending on the project (you can find this information under the description of each unit).
Every Step Up & Write creative writing unit has these aspects in common:
> First and foremost, each child should have a say in what they will write about. Give them choice, and in this way they’ll feel ownership over their writing (and they’ll enjoy it more too).
> We will always follow the five steps of the writing process- brainstorming/ planning, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing.
> Rather than creating a writing piece in a short amount of time that means little to the writer, students will be asked to complete a well put together writing piece over the course of many days, usually weeks. They will etch away a little at a time until the writing piece is complete. The step-up approach is what makes this program unique. Not only is the program easy to follow, but students are able to produce a comprehensive piece— a more meaningful one — that would be unattainable if not done one small step at a time. Published authors often follow this same approach, and your children will need to use it into adulthood whenever writing is necessary in their chosen field of study.
> Students will often study the writing of published authors. Even for adults, studying the writing of others is helpful before writing something. Have you ever looked at other examples before you’ve written a resume, important email, or even before writing a message on a farewell card at work? It’s all the more important for children to study the writing of others. If you’d like, you could write alongside your children each day, and they may find it helpful to see your progress alongside theirs.
>Students will always be asked to write with personality and voice, including details and vivid words/ phrases that help to draw the reader in.
Why Step Up & Write?
Step-by-step approach
The step-by-step approach is what makes this program unique—it’s the only way to get past the overwhelming nature of a writing project. Our program allows students to complete one small step at a time, etching away a little at a time until the comprehensive piece is finished. They will follow the 5-step writing process (planning, drafting, revising, editing, publishing), spending at least a few days on each step.
Great value!- Comprehensive program with weeks of content
Each Step Up & Write unit will guide teachers and students through the writing process, covering a range of writing skills along the way. Our writing units will cover weeks of content. It is more worthwhile for students to really take each day to focus on one small element before moving onto the next—this way their final product will be complete, thorough, and exciting to read. There will be so much they learn along the way! This is a much better strategy than hurrying through each step of the writing process but learning very little along the way. The final product will be something students will be proud of! It is special to have a culminating work to show family and friends that will be held onto for years. Even better, Step Up & Write is set up to be used more than once! If your child has written an informative essay about an animal in third grade, pull out the same unit a few years down the road and allow the child to choose a new topic they’re interested in, and set higher expectations this time around! Our Biography/Autobiography unit could be used one year as an autobiography, another year as a biography of a famous or historical figure, and another year as a biography of a family member or loved one!
Suitable for multiple levels in a classroom or homeschool environment
This program is set up so that you can teach to multiple children at the same time—students at varying academic levels and even students of varying ages. Step Up & Write is centrally geared to children in grades 2 through 8. It may be used in a classroom of similar age children with a wide range of abilities or in a homeschool environment with multiple ages at once. This is possible because each day’s concept will be the same for all students no matter the grade. It is the expectation that will be different based on age and ability. For example, one day’s focus may be on crafting a strong opening for their writing piece. All students, no matter the grade, will be taught the same strategies for doing so. Students may study the openings from their favorite books at their own reading levels. Younger or struggling writers may choose one strategy, and write one single opening. Older or more advanced writers will be expected to write longer openings and/or more openings, from which they’ll eventually choose their favorite. What’s so nice about Step Up & Write is that it can be catered to the needs and level of each child every step of the way, while being able to teach many students at once.
Aligns with academic standards
All Step Up & Write plans align with national academic content standards across the grade levels. Rubrics are included in all writing plans, separated into three groups (grades 2&3, grades 4, 5, & 6, and grades 7&8) Students can refer to these rubrics at the start of each project as a way to understand the expectation. Parents or teachers can use them to assess each child’s understanding of writing concepts and the success of their final product.
Fosters a love of writing in students
Step Up & Write offers many fun and interesting writing units, with more on the way! The program has a strong emphasis on student choice. While there are some parameters in each writing plan (i.e. if the writing unit is a persuasive essay, then the child will need to write a persuasive essay), students will choose their topic within those parameters (i.e. persuading the reader that make the best pets). It is our strong belief that children should have a say in what they write about. Give them choice, and in this way they’ll feel ownership over their writing. Having ownership leads to enjoyment and pride for their writing! Children should be excited about their writing rather than overwhelmed. Each child is different. This program allows teachers to push each child to their potential, while not overwhelming them. Believe in them, encourage them, and build off of their strengths and interests, while giving the right amount of push. It’s important to have expectations that they work hard to meet, but even more important to encourage them in their writing. Children enjoy writing most when they realize their writing potential!
Allows students to reach full potential as writers
Students will often study the writing of published authors. They’ll be taught all sorts of skills to improve their writing through every step of the writing process. They’ll be asked to write with personality and voice, including details and vivid words/ phrases that help to draw the reader in. Step Up & Write uses the same approach used by many published authors, and your children will need to use it into adulthood whenever writing is necessary in their chosen field of study. In short, Step Up & Write gives your children all the tools necessary to succeed as writers in the future!
Our mission is to foster a love of writing, through creative writing units that utilize each child’s unique interests and voice.
“The idea is to write it so that people hear it and it slides through the brain and goes straight to the heart.”
— Maya Angelou
