Units of Study in Opinion, Information, and Narrative Writing, Grades 3-5
High Expectations, Achievable Goals
The writing units of study help teachers provide their students with instruction, opportunities for practice, and concrete doable goals to help them meet and exceed any set of high standards.
Proven Tools and Methods
It is an understatement to say these units have been piloted many times. The teaching in these books has been planned, taught, revised, and retaught, through a cycle of improvement involving literally thousands of classrooms in schools dotting the globe.
A Clear Instructional Arc
Each writing unit represents about five to six weeks of teaching, structured into three or four “bends in the road.” Rather than tackling the entire journey all at once, it’s easier to embark on this series of shorter, focused bends, pausing between each to regroup and prepare for the next.
Series Components
Four Units of Study per grade level include all the teaching points, minilessons, conferences, and small group work for a comprehensive workshop curriculum.
Describes the essential principles, methods, and structures of effective writing workshop instruction. (Available for separate purchase—ideal for administrators and coaches who are supporting implementation of Units of Study.)
Abbreviated versions of additional units help teachers meet specific instructional needs—plus if/then scenarios to help teachers master the art of conferring.
A powerful assessment system offering learning progressions, performance assessments, student checklists, rubrics, and leveled writing exemplars. (Available in a K–8 version - ideal for administrators and coaches)
The teaching points for each day’s instruction are illustrated on large-format sticky notes to help teachers create and evolve anchor charts across the units.
(recommended optional purchase)
Across each unit, trade books are used to model effective writing techniques, encourage students to read as writers, and provide background knowledge.
The Online Resources offer downloadable, printable files for the anchor charts, student exemplars, homework assignments, checklists, and assessment resources.
Spanish translations of resources such as teaching points, anchor charts, and student self-assessment resources are provided, along with lists of Spanish-language mentor texts.
In these video courses, Lucy Calkins and her colleagues provide an overview of the units along with tips and guidelines to help teachers get off to a good start.
Just getting started with the Units of Study in Opinion, Information, and Narrative Writing? Consider the Up the Ladder units to accelerate intermediate students’ progress to the work they will do in the grade-level units. Who should choose the Up the Ladder units?
- Teachers in grades 3–6 whose students are new to writing workshop
- Teachers in grades 3 and up who want to help students accelerate their progress in writing
- Teachers in intermediate grades who want to give their students a refresher in writing workshop fundamentals
Note that Up the Ladder units are not meant to be an alternative to the core Units of Study, but rather a ramp to accelerate kids to the grade-level work they will do in those units.
Ordering Information
The online ordering links below list all the purchasing options for the
3–5 Writing Units of Study.
Be sure to reach out to your local
Heinemann sales rep for guidance with purchasing.
Purchasing Options
Each Grade Level with Trade Pack
Each Grade Level without Trade Pack
Additional Units of Study for Grade 3
The TCRWP is a learning organization that is continuously building on their earlier work. This additional unit fits tongue-and-groove with the original grade 5 units.
Guide to the Writing Workshop
A copy of the appropriate Guide is included in your Units box. The Guide is also offered separately for administrators and coaches.
