Rubrics help the student know what to expect. Sharing an example helps students see all the components and expectations in one place. 

Students need an opportunity to orally share their story before writing them down. Sharing helps with the brainstorming process and helps the student recognize the number of details that are present in their story. Students tend to verbally share a lot more than they write. Verbalizing their story allows them to see that when they write, they tend to leave some of the essential details out of the story. 

It is important to show the students an example and a non-example of a proficient writing example. It would also benefit from having these hanging somewhere in the room so that students can refer to them as they write. The best way to do this is to save examples from students writing the previous year. If you don't have any, start saving them now. It is well worth the time.  

Reflection is an extremely valuable time in your writing block. Don't forget to wrap up your writing block by having the students share what they learned as a writer today. Reflecting and sharing will help the students consolidate their learning, and the process of saying it out loud will help them store their learning. This time is also an opportunity for students to learn from other students in the classroom. 

Have a super Wednesday!!