Writing is more than just a communication skill – it’s a powerful vehicle for language development and academic growth across all subject areas, especially for English Learners (ELs). Research consistently shows a strong correlation between writing practice and language acquisition. Because writing requires learners to actively generate language – choosing words, forming sentences, organizing ideas –…
Imagine Two Classrooms In one, students are scribbling eagerly in journals, chasing their own ideas with no set prompts. In another, a teacher projects a model paragraph on the board, and children highlight the topic sentence and supporting details in color-coded hues. These scenes illustrate a long-running debate in writing instruction: free writing vs. structured writing….
How Pressto Supports K–12 Students on the Journey from Dependent to Independent Writers Learning to write is like learning to ride a bike. No one starts off pedaling confidently down the road. There’s wobbling, hesitation, and sometimes a bit of fear. That’s why we start with training wheels — they provide balance and support until…
Research Insights and Pressto’s Innovative Approach Introduction: Writing – An Underutilized Power Tool in Math Learning Writing isn’t just for English class. In fact, educational research has shown that writing can significantly boost learning in content areas like math and science. When students write about math concepts or problem-solving processes, they are effectively “learning by…
Literacy has long been viewed as the cornerstone of education, a gateway to personal and professional success. But while the Science of Reading has revolutionized how we teach students to decode and comprehend text, it’s crucial to recognize the equally important role of writing in literacy. The Inextricable Link Between Reading and Writing As Dr….
In the digital age, writing has transcended the confines of pen and paper, embracing a multitude of communication modes. Multimodality in writing refers to the seamless integration of various media, such as images, audio, video, and interactive elements, to enhance meaning and engage audiences in new and exciting ways. In this blog post, we embark…
Writing and critical thinking are two vital skills that are closely related and complement each other. Writing can be considered as a tool that enables one to express their ideas and thoughts, while critical thinking is a mental process that allows one to analyze, evaluate, and interpret information. Writing and critical thinking are inseparable as…
Culture can have a significant impact on writing styles. Writing is a form of communication, and cultural background can shape how we express ourselves and the kind of language we use to communicate. Different cultures may have different preferences for writing styles, such as formal or informal language, and this can influence how a writer…
A Look at Reading-Writing Connections There’s an undeniable urgency behind the task of teaching students to read. Such a fundamental — and yet complex — skill that often acts as a gatekeeper to success throughout a lifetime leaves educators with little room for anything but effective, proven, research-based instruction. As schools now face pandemic-induced learning loss and exacerbated…
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming a fundamental part of our daily lives, and its impact is only going to grow in the future. You know how you’re always using AI without even realizing it? Like when you ask Siri to play a song or when Instagram suggests posts for you? Well, it’s time to…