Writing in Upper Elementary is an extension and expansion of the principles taught in Lower Elementary. Six trait writing is used as our guide and our goal for how the students ultimately express themselves in writing. The students are assessed on six critical traits of writing twice a year and the assessments drive subsequent instruction. The traits include ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, and conventions. Each of the traits requires initial instruction with extended writing assignments across the curriculum. Students write on a daily basis and learn to incorporate revising and editing techniques to create a cohesive written product. Computers and Alpha Smarts are used to aid in this endeavor.

Writing instruction for Upper Elementary students covers a vast array of styles and genres: narrative, expository, persuasive, compare/contrast, and poetry, among others. Grammar lessons are woven throughout instruction with the aim being to produce a clear, concise piece of writing. By the time the students leave us in 6th grade they are able to communicate through writing in a thoughtful, creative, and comprehensive manner.