We know far more about what works in the Elementary grades than we did before. Among a number of research studies and professional books, the recent publication of the Elementary Practice Guide ( Graham, Bolinger et al., 2012) provides clear recommendations about writing instruction in grades K to 5 (see under Resources Elementary Writing Practice Guide). These recommendations are the following:
1. Provide daily time for students to write.
2. Teach students to use the writing process for a variety of purposes.
a. teach students the writing process,
b. teach students to write for a variety of purposes.
3. Teach students to become fluent with handwriting, spelling, sentence construction, typing and word processing.
4. Create an engaged community of writers.
References
Graham, S., Bollinger, A., Olson, C., D’Aoust, C. MacArthur, C., McCutchen, D. & Olinghouse, N. (2012). Teaching elementary school students to be effective writers. Retrieved from http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/PracticeGuide.aspx?sid=17.
Developing Strategic Writers: Bridging Research and Practice 