Russell Elementary School
101 Years of Tradition, Pride, and Excellence
2016-2017 Russell Elementary School Writing Plan (Revised 9-20-2016 – 5:15 p.m.)
Pre-K, K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th -- Resources: 6+1 Trait Writing and Empowering Writers
The Bilingual Writing “Orange Folder” Requirements are to be aligned with TELPAS. The following guidelines are
non-negotiable. Recommendation: students should do this on Monday or Friday.












5 writing samples per six weeks for 2nd -5th
3 writing samples PK-1st
1 writing sample is a narrative in the past tense
2 academic writing samples (expository mode) will be written on Math, Science, or Social Studies (these 2
expository samples regarding content area will be at the teacher’s discretion for Pre-K, K, and 1st…
The other 2 samples for grade 3, 4, and 5 will be in the expository mode of writing… grade 3 will align grade 4,
grade 5 will align to grades 6 and 7…
3rd grade, during the last marking period, will write on the TEA STAAR 26 lined page document…
5th grade, during the last marking period, will write in the Opinion Mode (expository) of writing during the last
marking period…
Journal writing is ongoing and frequent for Reading/Writing and Science/Social Studies. It critical for the
development of generating ideas.
Only one set of writing samples will be placed in the orange bilingual folder…
They should not be written in the journals. Journals are a separate writing product.
Every student will follow this procedure.
NOTE: During TELPAS, students will submit originals. This is a state test.
Suggestions for Alignment:
 Rough drafts may be done on Monday and that draft may be used as the writing sample. A copy will be made of the
sample that will be utilized as the Bilingual writing Bilingual Writing “Orange Folder” sample. The revising and
editing can take place on the original sample, whereby they can then complete the final draft.
 The modes of writing sequence is as follows:
o Week 1- Narrative in past tense
o Week 2-3- Expository
o Week 4-5 for grades 2-5- See above…
NOTE: Work on teaching the differences between narrative and expository writing. Student must improve in their
handwriting, dictionary skills, revising and editing skills.
4th Grade -- Resources: 6+1 Trait Writing and Empowering Writers
 Workshop model…
 Focus on revising and editing daily being sure to alternate the two…
 Conduct writing workshop once a week or once every other week to focus on writing process…
 Use mini marks to guide instruction and future grade level workshops based on student needs…
 Use 13th Week Assessment to guide instruction for the next workshops to follow …
 After the Christmas holiday, conduct workshops as needed based on student needs…
 After the Spring Semester district benchmark, use data to drive workshops along with mini-marks until testing…
 One month before STAAR, drive campus student learning activities more increased frequency as based on student
needs…
 Journals will be based on Bilingual Writing “Orange Folder” requirements. It critical for the development of
generating ideas.
NOTE:
Journals will be collected on the last day of each week and will be reviewed by administration. We
are currently checking our student ability to generate ideas.
800 Lakeside Blvd. • Brownsville, Texas 78520 • (956) 548-8960 • FAX (956) 548-8889
BISD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability or genetic information in employment or provision of services, programs or activities.