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Implementing Effective Writing Solutions for Students in Need

Within a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), Tier 3 is the most intensive level of intervention. Only a small percentage of students receive this individualized, high-frequency support, but for them, it is often the difference between continued struggle and measurable progress.

When we think about Tier 3 writing intervention, we usually work with students who experience persistent challenges in areas such as planning, organizing ideas, generating sentences, maintaining attention, or managing the anxiety that accompanies writing. For many, writing difficulties are compounded by decoding, fluency, comprehension, or other reading difficulties.

It’s important to stress that Tier 3 isn’t a separate universe. It follows the same logic as Tiers 1 and 2. The difference is intensity: instruction is more explicit, more precise, more frequent, and driven by close progress monitoring. Decisions are based on data, and instruction is continually adjusted. (MTSS4Success)

When Tier 3 succeeds, schools stop guessing and commit to evidence-based instruction. That means identifying a small set of high-leverage skills, choosing evidence-based strategies, setting clear goals, teaching explicitly, and checking progress frequently enough to make real-time adjustments. That description aligns directly with Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD), a framework built for students who need individualized instruction, and it has decades of evidence to prove it works.

A Quick History: SRSD before “Tier 3” Existed

The language of MTSS and “Tier 3” is relatively new, but SRSD has predated it for decades. In the early 1980s, Dr. Karen R. Harris and Dr. Steve Graham began working with students with significant writing difficulties and learning disabilities. They observed that traditional instruction wasn’t sufficient. Students needed explicit instruction in writing strategies and the self-regulation processes that drive learning: setting goals, engaging in positive self-talk, monitoring progress, and reflecting on success.

This blend of explicit strategy instruction and self-regulation became SRSD. Over the next 40 years, study after study confirmed its effectiveness not only for students with disabilities but also for struggling writers, typical learners, and advanced writers. (Institute of Education Sciences)

Today, SRSD is widely recognized by the research community and independent reviewers as an evidence-based practice in writing instruction. While refinements continue, the foundation remains the same: teach strategies explicitly, promote self-regulation, and gradually release responsibility to the student. (SAGE Journals)

What Tier 3 Writing Intervention Looks Like

In most schools, Tier 3 writing support has four defining features:

• Intensity and Time: Daily or near-daily sessions, often 40–60 minutes, delivered in addition to core instruction.
• Individualization: Each plan targets a particular set of skills, such as writing a clear topic sentence, generating reasons, or using transitions effectively. Instruction adapts as progress monitoring data comes in.
• Frequent Progress Monitoring: Weekly (or more frequent) checks inform decisions about when to increase support, adjust goals, or fade scaffolds.
• Instructional Match: Students work on grade-level-aligned tasks broken into manageable steps, supported by explicit modeling, guided practice, feedback, and repeated opportunities for success.

SRSD aligns perfectly with this model. It provides named, research-tested strategies like TREE for opinion writing and TIDE for informative writing. It offers a predictable lesson routine that blends explicit teaching with self-regulation practices. Most importantly, it builds the internal goal setting, monitoring, and reflection habits that struggling writers need to become independent.

Why SRSD Is So Effective for Tier 3

1. It addresses the real bottlenecks.
Tier 3 writers struggle most with planning, organization, and sustaining effort. SRSD tackles these directly: students learn to generate ideas before drafting, structure writing around clear patterns (e.g., topic–reasons–ending), and use self-regulation tools like goal setting and checklists to stay on track.

2. It has a proven track record with struggling writers.
Multiple studies, including research with students with learning disabilities, show significant gains in writing quality, length, and organization after SRSD instruction. Students taught with SRSD consistently outperform peers receiving traditional instruction, and many show increased motivation to write.

3. It works across tiers.
The same strategies used in Tier 1 and Tier 2 classrooms can be intensified for Tier 3 by slowing the pace, modeling more often, and keeping supports in place longer. This consistency reduces stigma and makes it easier for students to transfer what they learn in the intervention back into the general classroom.

4. It builds independence rather than dependence.
Tier 3 is not meant to be a permanent placement. SRSD helps students internalize the moves of good writers: setting goals, talking themselves through challenges, checking their work against a strategy, and celebrating success. As students master these habits, they can confidently return to less intensive supports.

SRSD’s Six Stages, Adapted for Tier 3

SRSD is taught through six flexible stages. In Tier 3, each stage tightens to provide more repetition, structure, and feedback.

1. Develop Background Knowledge
Identify the specific barriers to effective writing, such as difficulty generating ideas, organizing reasons, or adding evidence. Start with a brief warm-up that primes students to think about reasons, examples, and transitions.

2. Discuss It
Make the strategy’s purpose clear: “This helps me plan so I don’t stare at a blank page.” Turn broad goals into concrete targets (e.g., “two clear reasons with one example each”). Tie goals to the student’s values, like finishing on time or feeling proud to share work.

3. Model It (Think-Aloud)
Provide frequent, short models instead of one long demonstration. Narrate self-talk (“If I get stuck, I check my TREE strategy”). Model overcoming mistakes or writer’s block, not just the polished version.

4. Memorize It
In Tier 3, mnemonics must become automatic. Over-teach TREE, TIDE, or POW+TREE using call-and-response, quick checks, and personal cue cards. Students should be able to recite and explain the strategy steps before applying them in writing.

5. Support It (Guided Practice)
This stage requires the most time. Begin with structured prompts and graphic organizers, then gradually fade to mnemonic cards and memory. Provide immediate, specific feedback tied to strategy steps.

6. Independent Performance
Supports remain nearby but discreet, such as a strategy card taped inside a notebook. Weekly progress monitoring and student self-checks continue. Supports are faded only when data show consistent success.

Sample Tier 3 SRSD Plan

Student Profile

A sixth-grade student with a history of learning disabilities in writing produces short, unorganized responses and often avoids writing. Goals for the next 6–8 weeks are:

• Use TREE to plan and draft a paragraph with one opinion, two reasons, and a wrap-up.
• Change the goal the student sets after accomplishing the first one.
• Complete a self-monitoring checklist in under 2 minutes after each write.

Schedule

Tier 3 requires frequent, intensive practice to build fluency and confidence. Sessions occur:

• Frequency: 5 times per week
• Duration: 45 minutes each
• Format: 1:1 or 1:2 instruction to allow individualized attention

Session Routine

• 5-minute Strategy Warm-Up: Oral rehearsal of TREE and one quick review question anchors the student in the strategy and creates predictability.
• 5–8 minute Model & Discussion: The teacher models one step of TREE with a think-aloud, explaining why it helps. Short, frequent models reinforce learning.
• 20–25 minute Guided or Independent Writing: Students begin with scaffolds like graphic organizers and gradually rely only on mnemonic cards. Teacher feedback is immediate and specific.
• 5 minutes Self-Monitoring & Goal Reflection: Student completes a self-checklist, reflects on progress, and may briefly conference with the teacher.
• 2–5 minutes Progress Tracking: Teacher logs checklist completion and rubric data.

Progress Monitoring

Weekly short writes are scored with a focused rubric (organization + reasons + wrap-up) and word count. The aim is steady growth, not perfection. Scaffolds are adjusted based on data to ensure responsiveness.

What the Research Says

• Strong effects for struggling writers and students with disabilities. SRSD instruction leads to improved writing quality, length, and organization, with gains surpassing those of typical instruction. (SAGE Journals)
• Meta-analytic support. Reviews across decades show SRSD produces large, statistically significant effects for students with and without disabilities. (acuresearchbank)
• Independent recognition. The What Works Clearinghouse has published an intervention report on SRSD, validating its evidence base for leaders. (Institute of Education Sciences)

How Tier 3 Connects to Tiers 1 and 2

When schools use SRSD in Tier 1, Tier 3 becomes far more efficient. Students already recognize the mnemonics, have seen think-alouds, and understand the language of self-regulation. Tier 3 can then zero in on filling deep gaps like generating reasons or adding evidence rather than reteaching the whole framework. This shared foundation is a key reason SRSD scales seamlessly across all tiers of instruction.

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Practical Tips for Tier 3 with SRSD

1. Tighten your aim. Select one or two must-address skills for 4–8 weeks (e.g., plan with TREE; add examples to reasons). Small wins build motivation.
2. Over-teach self-regulation. Have students verbalize strategies, set micro-goals, and complete self-checks. Seeing themselves succeed fuels persistence.
3. Write short, write often. Multiple brief writings yield more data, feedback cycles, and less avoidance than one long assignment.
4. Keep data simple. Track words written, rubric scores, and independence. Share graphs with students weekly to highlight progress.
5. Connect to content areas. Use science and social studies prompts so students experience transfer to the curriculum.
6. Involve families. Provide simple at-home routines such as “Ask me to say my TREE steps,” or “Listen as I explain my two reasons.”

When Progress Stalls

Even with strong instruction, plateaus happen. Here are quick adjustments:

• Zoom in further: Break goals into smaller targets (e.g., one detail per reason).
• Re-model the shaky step: Pinpoint the problem area and model it again the next day.
• Shift the entry point: Try oral rehearsal or sentence starters before drafting.
• Reset goals: Set an easier target to rebuild confidence and momentum.

What Leaders Should Know

For administrators and coaches, Tier 3 success depends on systems:

• Materials: Cue cards, graphic organizers, self-monitoring sheets.
• Time: Protected daily Tier 3 slots, even in tight schedules.
• Data cadence: Decide what to track weekly and review regularly.
• PD & coaching: Give teachers time to practice think-alouds and analyze Tier 3 data in coaching cycles.
• Continuity: Encourage Tier 1 teachers to use the same mnemonics and language so students move across tiers smoothly.

Credible Places to Learn More

• National Center on Intensive Intervention – Tools and guides linking intensive intervention with MTSS, including progress monitoring.  (Intensive Intervention)
• Center on MTSS – Clear explanations and visuals on Tier 3 for staff development. (MTSS4Success)
• What Works Clearinghouse SRSD Report – Independent review of SRSD’s origins and effects. Institute of Education Sciences
• Research on SRSD with struggling writers and students with learning disabilities – Harris, Graham & Mason (2006); Saddler (2006/2007); Graham (2005); and meta-analytic reviews. (ResearchGate)

The Takeaway for Teachers

Tier 3 writing intervention is not mysterious—it’s focused, frequent, and responsive. For students with persistent reading difficulties, challenges with fluency or comprehension, or learning disabilities, success hinges on explicit instruction, individualized goals, and progress monitoring.

SRSD provides a clear structure: teach a strategy explicitly, build self-regulation, and collect data to guide next steps. Because SRSD operates seamlessly across tiers, students don’t feel like they’re in a different system when receiving Tier 3 support. Instead, they experience consistency, clarity, and, most importantly, academic success.

If your school already implements SRSD in Tiers 1 and 2, adding a targeted Tier 3 cycle is the natural next step. It completes the picture: a coherent, tiered intervention system where every student, including those who struggle the most, has a way forward grounded in evidence, individualized instruction, and daily wins.

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Key Differences Between Tier 1 and Tier 2 Writing Interventions

One of the biggest trends in schools right now is the use of MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports). Teachers hear about it in meetings. Leaders bring it up in professional development. Parents even ask how it works. MTSS is not new, but more districts are leaning on it to guide literacy decisions.

Most conversations focus on reading and math, and writing is often overlooked. That is starting to change. Districts realize that students cannot succeed without strong writing and need a plan for how writing fits into Tier 1 and Tier 2.

We believe this is a current trend for two reasons:

1. Policy pressure. State standards and tests require source-based writing. Schools cannot meet benchmarks without writing instruction at every level.
2. Equity needs. NAEP data show that only about one in four students writes proficiently. Students with disabilities and multilingual learners are especially at risk.

This blog is meant to make the subject feel less overwhelming. We’ll explain how writing fits into MTSS and show how SRSD can help teachers feel confident with Tier 1 and Tier 2 supports.

MTSS in Plain Language

MTSS is a school-wide framework. The goal is to ensure all students get the proper support at the right time. It has three tiers:

• Tier 1: Core instruction for all students. High-quality teaching is what every child receives.
• Tier 2: Targeted small-group support for students who need extra help.
• Tier 3: Intensive, individualized intervention for a few students with significant needs.

Research shows that outcomes improve across subjects when MTSS is applied well (Fuchs & Fuchs, 2017). But writing is often underdeveloped in MTSS plans. Teachers may have a reading scope and sequence, yet little guidance for writing beyond daily assignments.

Note on Tier 3: Intensive Writing Intervention Tier 3 in MTSS is reserved for the few students who need intensive, individualized support. In writing, this often includes students with learning disabilities or significant difficulties who require one-on-one or highly specialized small-group instruction. Interventions at this level are frequent, closely monitored, and tailored to each student’s specific needs. SRSD has a strong evidence base with these learners, showing that explicit strategy instruction paired with self-regulation can make meaningful gains even for students who struggle the most.

Why This Blog Focuses on Tiers 1 and 2 While Tier 3 is essential, this post focuses on Tiers 1 and 2 because these are the levels where most schools are currently building writing supports. Strong Tier 1 instruction ensures all students have access to clear, consistent writing strategies. An effective Tier 2 intervention provides targeted help for those who need more. Together, these tiers prevent many students from slipping through the cracks and reduce the number who require Tier 3. I’ll return to Tier 3 in my next post dedicated to intensive interventions and special education.

Why Writing belongs in Tier 1

Tier 1 is about giving all students strong instruction. Writing needs to be part of this core because it is a skill every student must master.

A Common Paragraph Structure

One way schools strengthen Tier 1 writing is by teaching a shared paragraph structure. For example, students across grades learn how to build a topic sentence, add reasons or evidence, and wrap up with a conclusion. This creates consistency.

When teachers share a structure, students know what is expected from grade to grade. Research shows that explicit instruction in text structure boosts writing outcomes (Graham & Perin, 2007).

PLC Rubrics

Another Tier 1 move is using common rubrics in PLCs (Professional Learning Communities). A shared rubric makes writing expectations clear across classrooms, ensuring that the content being assessed is consistent and fair and allowing for the effective measurement of student progress. It also helps teachers talk about student work using the same language.

For example, a rubric might highlight organization, use of evidence, and clarity. Teachers can then compare notes: “Our fifth graders are strong at topic sentences but weak in supporting details.” This leads to aligned instruction and less guesswork.

SRSD and Tier 1

SRSD fits Tier 1 because it is both explicit and flexible. The strategies (like TREE for opinion writing or TIDE for informative writing) give students a roadmap for paragraphs and essays. The self-regulation tools (goal setting, self-talk, self-monitoring) make writing feel doable.

Meta-analyses confirm that SRSD strongly affects general education classrooms (Graham et al., 2013). It works as a Tier 1 support because it raises the quality of all core writing and reading instruction.

Why Writing belongs in Tier 2

Tier 2 is for students who need more than core instruction. These students are not meeting grade-level expectations and require targeted support.

Small-Group Focus

Tier 2 often occurs in small groups, utilizing additional resources to support targeted instruction. Students might work with a literacy coach, interventionist, or classroom teacher. The goal is to give extra time and scaffolding.

For writing, this might mean:

• Extra modeling of how to plan with a graphic organizer.
• Guided practice writing sentences before paragraphs.
• Close progress monitoring with feedback loops.

Addressing Specific Needs

Some students struggle with sentence construction. Others have ideas but cannot organize them. Research shows that targeted support in sentence combining, strategy instruction, and handwriting/typing fluency can make a difference (Graham, McKeown, Kiuhara, & Harris, 2012).

Tier 2 is the place for this kind of tailored help. The intervention should connect to Tier 1, not replace it.

SRSD and Tier 2

SRSD shines in Tier 2 because it is evidence-based for struggling writers, including students with learning disabilities (Harris et al., 2008). Teachers can slow the pacing, add more modeling, or provide extra graphic organizers.

A study by Saddler (2006) showed that struggling writers who learned SRSD strategies outperformed peers in both composition quality and length. This proves that SRSD is effective in general classrooms and powerful for intervention.

How Tier 1 and Tier 2 Work Together

The strength of MTSS is that the tiers connect. Tier 1 lays the foundation. Tier 2 builds on it with more intensity.

Here’s an example:

• Tier 1: All fourth graders learn TREE for opinion writing. They practice using mentor texts and write essays together.
• Tier 2: A small group of four students who are still struggling meets three times a week. The teacher re-teaches TREE with extra modeling, then guides them through writing one reason at a time.

Because the strategy is the same, students do not feel singled out. They get more practice with the tools they already know. This creates consistency and confidence.

Addressing Teacher Concerns

“We Don’t Have Time.”

Time is always tight, but integration is key. Writing can be embedded into reading lessons, and SRSD strategies fit within existing blocks, so no new time slot is needed.

“Our PLCs Don’t Talk About Writing.”

PLC rubrics can help. The conversation shifts when teachers bring writing samples to the table with a shared rubric. Everyone starts to see patterns and next steps.

“I’m Not Trained in Writing Intervention.”

Many teachers feel underprepared to teach writing. Professional learning is crucial. SRSD training teaches teachers how to model, guide, and scaffold writing. Once they see it in action, they feel more confident supporting Tier 1 and Tier 2.

A Classroom Example

Imagine a middle school that has made writing a school-wide priority within MTSS.

At Tier 1, every teacher, ELA, science, and social studies, uses the same common paragraph structure. In PLCs, teachers use a rubric to review writing samples once a month. Students begin to see writing as consistent across subjects.

At Tier 2, the literacy coach runs a small group for students who scored below the benchmark, utilizing progress monitoring to track their improvements over time. She uses formative assessments alongside SRSD with extra modeling and daily self-monitoring checklists. Over six weeks, students move from writing incomplete responses to producing whole, organized paragraphs.

The result: a school where writing is not an afterthought, but a visible part of the MTSS system.

Conclusion and Call to Action

Writing must be part of MTSS, emphasizing differentiated instruction to meet the diverse needs of all students. Without it, students miss half of literacy. At Tier 1, schools can create consistency with common structures and rubrics. At Tier 2, they can provide targeted, research-based interventions.

The science is clear. As stated above, meta-analyses show that explicit strategy instruction improves writing across the board. Studies confirm that SRSD is one of the most effective interventions for both general and struggling writers (Harris & Graham, 2019).

At SRSD Online, we help schools make this vision real. Our Writing to Learn™ courses give teachers the tools to support Tier 1. Our professional learning shows how to adapt SRSD for Tier 2. With both levels, MTSS becomes a framework where writing is no longer left behind.

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I’ve been asked to dive deeper into SRSD, specifically for teachers. 

Teaching writing instruction is one of the most challenging jobs in the classroom. Students often stare at a blank page, unsure where to start. Others write quickly but without structure or detail. Even strong readers can freeze when asked to explain their thinking in writing.

You’re not alone if you’ve ever wished for a reliable roadmap that helps students plan, draft, and revise confidently. The good news: such a roadmap exists. It’s called Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD).

The Role of Self-Regulation in Writing Instruction

SRSD is more than a set of tricks. It’s a research-based approach that blends writing strategies with self-regulation skills so students learn what to write and how to manage themselves as writers. Over the past 40 years, SRSD has been tested in classrooms from kindergarten through high school, and the results are consistently impressive: students write more, write better, and feel more confident in their ability to communicate. It’s not about handwriting. It’s about communicating. 

This guide will introduce you to SRSD, explain why it works so well, and explain how teachers like you can start exploring it.

What Exactly Is SRSD?

Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) is a step-by-step way of teaching writing that combines two things:

1. Explicit strategies for writing: how to plan, organize, and develop essays in different genres (opinion, informative, narrative).
2. Self-regulation skills: goal-setting, self-talk, self-monitoring, and reflection that keep students motivated and on track.

In other words, SRSD helps students become both strategic and self-regulated. They learn to use proven writing tools and manage their learning process.

It’s not a replacement curriculum. Instead, SRSD is a flexible framework you can apply with the texts, prompts, and assignments you already use. Whether your students are writing a science lab report, a persuasive letter in ELA, or a reflection in social studies, SRSD gives them tools to plan, draft, and revise with greater confidence.

SRSD Is Not

We focus on ideation, composition, organization, and self-regulation strategies because research shows this approach is most effective. Addressing too many aspects of writing all at once, like including spelling, grammar, and handwriting, can overwhelm students and create negative experiences. By staying aligned with SRSD research and incorporating evidence-based practices, we target what’s often missing in curricula and ensure every lesson remains evidence-based.

Play the “What is SRSD” video by clicking this image:

Why SRSD Stands Out

Lots of programs promise to improve writing.  So, what makes SRSD different?

• It’s built on research. More than 200 studies and multiple meta-analyses show large, positive effects for SRSD on student writing quality, length, and motivation. In fact, SRSD is consistently ranked among the most effective writing interventions available.
• It works for every type of student. Struggling writers, multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and advanced students all benefit. Teachers report that reluctant writers start taking risks, while higher-achieving writers learn to stretch and refine their skills.
• It develops lifelong life skills. Because SRSD teaches self-regulation (not just writing), students carry these habits into other subjects. They learn how to set goals, monitor progress, and reflect. Skills that matter in math, science, and life.
• It fits into real classrooms. SRSD doesn’t ask teachers to throw out their curriculum. Instead, it enhances what you’re already teaching by giving students strategies that make writing tasks manageable.

The Heart of SRSD: Six Stages

SRSD is taught through six recursive stages. Think of these as steps that guide students from teacher support to independence.

1. Develop Background Knowledge

Before students can write, they need the proper foundation. This stage builds key skills like writing vocabulary, strategy knowledge, and understanding of the genre, using mentor texts to illustrate what good writing looks like. For example, before writing an opinion essay, you might review what a good essay looks like.

2. Discuss It

Next, the teacher and students talk openly about why the strategy matters. You connect writing to real-world purposes and invite students to set personal goals while seeking their feedback on the process. This stage helps students buy in by showing them that writing strategies, supported by assessment, make a difference.

3. Model It

This is where you, the teacher, show the strategy in action. Using think-alouds, you demonstrate your writing process: planning with a graphic organizer, drafting step by step, revising, and checking your work. Students see that even skilled writers like you pause, rethink, and problem-solve. It makes the invisible, visible!

4. Memorize It

Students commit the strategy steps to memory. This often involves mnemonics like TREE (Topic, Reasons, Explain, Ending) for opinion writing, TIDE for informative writing, and C-SPACE for narrative. Chants, posters, and repeated practice help cement the process.

5. Support It

With teacher guidance, students start to use the strategy themselves. You provide explicit, evidence-based writing instruction, scaffolds, prompts, and feedback as they practice. Peer collaboration often happens here, with students planning and drafting together before moving to solo work.

6. Independent Performance

Finally, students take the strategy and run with it. They plan, write, and revise on their own. They also use self-regulation tools like checklists and self-talk to stay on track. Over time, the strategies become automatic and transferable to new writing tasks.

Important: These stages are not one-way steps. Students often cycle back to earlier stages when learning a new genre or when extra support is needed.

What Makes SRSD So Powerful?

1. Writing Becomes Doable

SRSD breaks down the writing process into small, manageable steps. Instead of telling students “Write a persuasive essay,” you’re giving them a clear recipe they can follow. This reduces being overwhelmed and builds confidence.

2. Students Learn to Self-Regulate

Many students struggle because they lack strategies to manage themselves. SRSD directly teaches tools like:

• Goal-setting: “My goal is to provide three reasons in this essay.”
• Self-monitoring: “Did I explain each reason?”
• Positive self-talk: “I can do this. If I get stuck, I’ll check my organizer.”
• Self-reinforcement: “I finished my draft! That deserves a high-five.”

3. Motivation Improves

When students see their own growth, they want to keep going. Teachers report that reluctant writers start asking for more time to write, and previously disengaged students take pride in their work.

4. It Builds Transferable Skills

Because SRSD blends strategies with self-regulation, students don’t just learn this essay type. They learn how to tackle any writing task in ELA, science, social studies, or beyond.

How SRSD Looks in Real Classrooms

Let’s imagine how SRSD might play out in three different grade levels.

• Grade 3 Opinion Writing: Students write about whether pets should be allowed in school. Using the TREE strategy, they plan a topic sentence, three reasons, supporting details, and a conclusion. The teacher models a think-aloud, and students practice with partners before writing independently.
• Middle School Science: Students use TIDE to write up their findings after a lab experiment. They structure their report with a clear topic, important details from the experiment, explanations, and a conclusion. Self-talk helps them stay focused: “Did I explain why my results matter?”
• High School History: Students are asked to write a document-based essay (DBQ). They apply SRSD strategies to organize evidence, build an argument, and include counterarguments. Goal-setting and self-monitoring help them manage the complexity of multiple sources.

Common Teacher Concerns

When teachers first hear about SRSD, they often have questions. Here are a few, with honest answers:

• “Do I have time for this?” At first, SRSD lessons may feel longer. But once students learn the routines, writing becomes faster and smoother. Many teachers find they actually save time because students need less reteaching.
• “Will it fit with my curriculum?” Yes. Think of SRSD as a method or a framework, not a separate program. You can use it with any curriculum like Wonders, Amplify, CKLA, EL, science units, social studies prompts, or even test prep, and it incorporates explicit instruction to guide students effectively.
• “What if my students resist?” Some will. However, resistance usually fades when students realize that the strategies actually make writing easier. Modeling your own struggles (“Hmm, I don’t know what to write yet, so I’ll look back at my organizer”) helps normalize the process.
• “Is this only for struggling writers?” No. While SRSD is incredibly effective for students with disabilities and multilingual learners, advanced students also benefit. They learn to add depth, organization, and precision to their writing.

Practical Tips to Get Started

1. Choose one genre (opinion or informative is easiest to start).
2. Pick a strategy mnemonic (TREE, TIDE, or another).
3. Plan your lessons 
4. Model often by thinking aloud and writing in front of students. Show mistakes and how you decide on revisions.
5. Use organizers and checklists until students internalize the steps.
6. Celebrate small wins– effort, improvement, and persistence.

Why Teachers Stick With SRSD

Teachers implementing SRSD often describe a turning point: writing no longer feels like pulling teeth. Instead, it becomes a structured, purposeful part of the day.

Here’s what they report:

• Students who used to write two sentences now write full paragraphs.
• Classroom discussions about writing are richer because students have language and strategies to talk about their choices.
• The “I can’t write” attitude fades as students begin to trust themselves as writers.

One teacher put it this way: “SRSD didn’t just change how my students write. It changed how they think.”

Final Thoughts

SRSD is more than a writing strategy; it’s a comprehensive approach to writing instruction that transforms how students engage with writing tasks. It’s a way to help students become confident, independent learners who can tackle tough tasks with clear strategies and self-belief.

For teachers, it’s a flexible framework incorporating evidence-based writing instruction practices that work alongside your existing curriculum to enhance literacy skills. For students, it’s a set of tools that make writing possible and even enjoyable.

The evidence is clear: SRSD improves writing outcomes across grade levels, subjects, and student populations. But beyond the research, the real power of SRSD shows up in everyday classrooms: in the third grader who finally fills a page, the eighth grader who organizes a thoughtful essay, and the high schooler who walks into a test believing, “I can do this.”

If you’re ready to see your students grow as writers and learners, SRSD is a proven place to start.

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Evidence-Based Foundational Writing Skills 

In my last post, I explored five practical writing strategies for elementary students, from graphic organizers to self-talk and peer feedback. These tools give students a clear starting point, help them structure their writing, and build confidence in their own abilities.

But many teachers ask the next natural question: “How do I pull all these strategies together into a system that really works?”

That’s what this post is all about. I’ll look at a proven, research-based framework that organizes these strategies into a powerful sequence of instruction. Decades of studies show that this approach helps elementary students, from kindergartners to fifth graders, and struggling writers to high achievers, grow into confident, independent writers.

Why Strategies Alone Aren’t Enough

Teaching a single strategy can spark short-term progress. For example, a graphic organizer helps students structure ideas for one assignment. But if we stop there, students may not transfer that learning to the next task.

Research in writing instruction is clear: strategies stick when taught within a broader framework that includes modeling, guided practice, and self-regulation. In other words, we need to teach how to use the strategies, why they matter, and how students can take ownership of them over time.

That’s where the Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) framework comes in.

What Is SRSD?

At its core, SRSD is both a teaching method and a learning process that significantly enhances writing skills. Literacy researchers Dr. Karen Harris and Dr. Steve Graham developed it, wanting to answer a big question: How can we teach writing in a way that works for every student, especially those who struggle?

Their solution was to combine explicit writing strategies with self-regulation skills like goal setting, self-talk, and reflection. The result is a classroom-tested approach that has been studied in hundreds of classrooms across the U.S. and around the world.

SRSD is not a replacement curriculum. Instead, teachers can weave a flexible framework into any writing program or subject area. Whether you use CKLA, Wonders, Benchmark, or your own units of study, SRSD provides the missing link: the step-by-step process for teaching students how to use strategies effectively and independently as part of their writing process.

The Six Stages of SRSD — Explained Simply

SRSD unfolds in six stages. Teachers don’t have to follow them rigidly, but the sequence matters because it gradually shifts responsibility from teacher to student.

1. Develop Background Knowledge

Students need the right foundation before they can use a strategy. In this stage, teachers build vocabulary, genre, and content knowledge. For example, before teaching opinion writing, spend time reading mentor texts, discussing what makes a strong opinion, and practicing with simple examples.

2. Discuss It

Here, students and teachers discuss the strategy: What does it mean? When would we use it? Why does it help? This stage enhances engagement by motivating students and making the purpose clear.

3. Model It

This is the heart of SRSD. Teachers think aloud and model the strategy’s entire process, including the self-regulation tools. For example: “I’m going to use TREE to plan my opinion. My topic is ‘Should we have homework?’ My first reason is… Oh, wait, that’s not strong enough, let me try again.” Students see the invisible thought process of a writer.

4. Memorize It

Students learn to internalize the strategy so they can use it without constant scaffolds. Mnemonics like TREE (Topic, Reasons, Explanation, Ending) and TIDE (Topic, Important details, Details explained, Ending) are easy for kids to remember and use.

5. Support It

In this stage, teachers provide guided practice. Students try the strategy with scaffolds, feedback, and encouragement. Over time, supports are gradually removed.

6. Independent Performance

Finally, students use the strategy on their own. By this point in the writing process, they can plan, draft, and revise independently, not just for one assignment, but across subjects and genres.

Why SRSD Works: The Research

What makes SRSD unique is its evidence base. In fact, SRSD is one of the most well-researched writing interventions in the world.

• A meta-analysis of SRSD studies found very large effect sizes on writing quality, organization, and length.
• The approach benefits all students, including those with learning disabilities, ADHD, or language barriers.
• Gains are not just immediate; they last over time and transfer to new writing tasks.

Researchers often describe SRSD results as “over the moon.” And classroom teachers confirm it: once students know the strategies and self-regulation tools, writing stops being a mystery.

What SRSD Looks Like in an Elementary Classroom

Let’s make this concrete. Imagine you’re teaching fourth graders to write informative essays about animal habitats.

1. Develop Background Knowledge: Students read short passages about polar bears, deserts, and rainforests. Together, you highlight essential vocabulary and concepts.
2. Discuss It: You explain the TIDE strategy (Topic, Important details, Details explained, Ending) and ask students when they might use it.
3. Model It: In front of the class, you write a short essay about polar bears. You say things like: “I want to start with a clear topic sentence: ‘Polar bears live in the Arctic.’ Now, what’s my first important detail?”
4. Memorize It: Students practice chanting “T-I-D-E” and create a colorful anchor chart to hang in the classroom.
5. Support It: Students plan essays with a partner, using mentor texts, a graphic organizer, and your guidance.
6. Independent Performance: Finally, each student writes an independent essay, using the strategy without scaffolds to enhance their writing skills.

By the end of the unit, your students will not only know more about animal habitats but also know how to tackle future informative writing tasks with confidence.

The Self-Regulation Side

One of the most powerful features of SRSD is its emphasis on self-regulation. Instead of just telling students what to do, SRSD equips them to:

• Set goals: “Today I’m going to add at least three reasons to my opinion essay.”
• Use self-talk: “I can do this. If I get stuck, I’ll look back at my organizer.”
• Monitor progress: “Did I use all the parts of TREE?”
• Reflect: “Next time I’ll add more details to my explanations.”

These habits extend beyond writing. Students start applying them in reading, math, and even personal challenges. That’s why teachers often say SRSD doesn’t just create better writers, it makes more confident learners.

How SRSD Connects to the Strategies from Blog 1

If you read our first blog, you’ll notice that SRSD doesn’t replace those strategies; it organizes and strengthens them.

• Graphic Organizers? Used heavily in the Support It stage.
• Sentence Starters? Integrated during Discuss It and Model It.
• Self-Talk? Explicitly taught in self-regulation routines.
• Modeling? Central to the Model It stage.
• Peer Feedback? Encouraged during Support It and Independent Performance to boost student engagement.

In other words, SRSD is the framework that makes those individual strategies stick and transfer across assignments.

Getting Started with SRSD

Although the idea of six stages may sound complex, SRSD is designed to be teacher-friendly and flexible. You don’t need to overhaul your curriculum or education plans to start using it.

Here are three practical steps:

1. Pick one strategy (like TREE for opinion writing) and teach it using the SRSD stages.
2. Model and think aloud more than you think you need to. Students learn as much from watching your process as from writing themselves.
3. Encourage self-talk and goal setting early and often. Even a simple reminder — “Writers, check if you have your topic sentence!” builds self-regulation habits.

Over time, you can expand to more genres, strategies, and independence.

What Teachers Say about SRSD

Teachers who use SRSD consistently share three themes:

• Clarity: They finally feel like they have a roadmap for teaching writing.
• Confidence: Struggling writers begin to see themselves as capable.
• Transfer: Students apply strategies across subjects — in science reports, social studies essays, and even personal narratives.

As one elementary teacher put it: “For the first time, my students weren’t asking me what to write. They knew how to get started and what to do next.”

Conclusion: A Framework That Lasts

Teaching writing skills can feel overwhelming, especially when every student is at a different level. But with the right framework, writing instruction becomes manageable, effective, and even joyful.

The Self-Regulated Strategy Development framework gives teachers a step-by-step process for teaching writing strategies in a way that sticks. It combines explicit instruction with self-regulation, creating better writing outcomes and more confident, independent learners.

If you’ve ever felt stuck wondering how to make writing strategies work long-term, SRSD is the answer.

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Five Writing Strategies for Elementary Students

Writing is one of the most important skills we teach in elementary school. It helps students organize their thoughts, communicate clearly, and build confidence in their own voices. Yet for many teachers, the writing process and instruction feel like an uphill climb. Some students love to talk but freeze when asked to put their ideas on paper. Others can generate ideas but struggle to give their writing structure. For many children, writing simply feels overwhelming.

The good news is this: research shows that explicit writing strategies make a big difference. When students learn how to approach writing step by step, they improve their papers and start to see themselves as writers.

In this post, I’ll explore five practical writing strategies and practice techniques for elementary students that any teacher can introduce in their classroom. These strategies are evidence-informed, classroom-tested, and flexible enough for grades K–5.

Why Writing Strategies Matter in Elementary Grades

Elementary school is the foundation for lifelong literacy. Improving writing skills strengthens reading comprehension, supports content learning in science and social studies, and encourages critical thinking. Students who write regularly perform better on assessments and become more confident learners.

Yet many curricula underemphasize writing or treat it as something students will “pick up” naturally. Without explicit instruction, students are left to guess what good writers do. Teaching writing strategies changes the game.

• Strategies make writing visible. They show students what successful writers do when planning, drafting, and revising.
• Strategies build independence. Instead of waiting for a teacher to guide every step, students learn tools they can apply independently.
• Strategies boost motivation and engagement. Writing feels less intimidating when students have a plan that they know works.

With that in mind, consider five strategies you can bring into your classroom this year.

1. Use Graphic Organizers to Build Structure

One of the most powerful tools for elementary writers is the graphic organizer. Students often have ideas but struggle to structure them into a coherent piece. A simple organizer provides a visual roadmap that makes writing less abstract.

Two classroom-tested examples:

• TREE (Topic sentence, Reasons, Explanation, Ending) is perfect for opinion writing.
• TIDE (Topic sentence, Important details, Details explained, Ending) is ideal for informative writing.

These organizers break complex writing tasks into manageable parts. Younger students can use pictures or symbols in the boxes, while older students can jot down whole sentences.

Classroom tip: Model how to fill out the organizer with a shared writing example. For instance, if your class is debating “Should recess be longer?”, demonstrate how to write the topic sentence, brainstorm reasons, and support each one with explanations.

2. Provide Sentence Starters and Frames

For emerging writers, the hardest part is often just getting started. Sentence starters and writing frames give students a safe entry point into writing.

Examples of sentence starters:

• In my opinion…
• One reason is…
• For example…
• In conclusion…

Over time, students move beyond the frames, but in the beginning, using mentor texts as supports can unlock fluency and confidence through practice.

Classroom tip: Post sentence starters on an anchor chart or provide a laminated “transition card” at each desk. Encourage students to experiment by combining starters in new ways.

3. Teach Students to Use Self-Talk 

Strong writers often coach themselves as they work: “Does this sentence make sense?” or “I need to explain this idea more clearly.” We can teach elementary students the same habit to enhance their writing skills.

Simple self-talk prompts:

• What’s my goal for this piece?
• Did I include enough details?
• How can I make my ending stronger?

Students can say these questions out loud at first, then gradually internalize them. Self-talk builds self-regulation, the ability to monitor and adjust their own work.

Classroom tip: Model self-talk while writing in front of your students. Let them hear you pause and say, “Hmm, I don’t like that sentence yet. I’ll try it another way.”

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4. Model and Think Aloud as a Writer

One of the most powerful teaching moves in writing instruction is to write in front of your students. This demystifies the process and shows them that even skilled writers make mistakes, change their minds, and revise.

How to model effectively:

• Use chart paper, a document camera, or an interactive whiteboard.
• Talk aloud about your thought process: “I want my topic sentence to be strong, so I’ll try starting with a question.”
• Emphasize that writing is a process, not a one-and-done task.

Students who see their teacher wrestling with word choice or structure learn that this struggle occurs every day and can be solved with strategies.

Classroom tip: Set aside 5–10 minutes for “live writing” at the start of each new unit. Keep it short and authentic.

5. Make Revision and Peer Feedback Simple and Routine

Many students think the first draft is the final draft, but understanding the writing process can help them see the value in revision. To change this mindset, we need to normalize revision and peer feedback in manageable ways for elementary classrooms.

Age-appropriate revision strategies:

• Use a “two stars and a wish” system: two things the student did well, and one suggestion for improvement.
• Focus revision on one specific goal (e.g., adding details, improving endings) instead of overwhelming students with everything at once.
• Provide checklists tailored to the genre: opinion, narrative, or informative.

Classroom tip: Pair students for a 5-minute feedback swap after drafting. Keep the process structured and positive to build confidence.

When should elementary students practice writing?

Integrating writing practice into students’ daily routines is essential for developing their skills effectively. Regular exposure and diverse writing opportunities enhance fluency and build confidence in young learners, making writing a natural and enjoyable part of their academic experience.

Moreover, it is beneficial to incorporate writing practice into various subjects throughout the day. When students are engaged in science projects, social studies discussions, or even math problem-solving, encouraging them to write about their observations, analyses, and conclusions can reinforce content comprehension and writing abilities. Such interdisciplinary writing activities help students see the practical applications of writing skills.

Encouraging students to keep journals or writing logs can further promote habitual practice. These personal writing exercises allow children to express thoughts and feelings creatively, without the pressure of formal assessment. By valuing structured and free-form writing, students grow comfortable experimenting with language, syntax, and expression, fostering a positive attitude toward writing.

Ultimately, emphasizing the importance of consistency in writing practice, alongside meaningful feedback from teachers and peers, fosters a classroom environment where students view writing as an assignment and a valuable tool for communication and learning. This holistic approach inspires students to engage with writing autonomously, cultivating lifelong literacy enthusiasts.

Practical Tips for Getting Started

These education strategies are most powerful when implemented gradually. Here are three guiding principles for teachers:

1. Start small. Choose one strategy — like graphic organizers — and stick with it for several weeks before layering in another.
2. Repeat and reinforce. Elementary students benefit from practice and routine. Use the same strategy across multiple assignments so it becomes automatic.
3. Adapt for grade level.
   • In K–2, keep strategies highly visual and interactive. Draw pictures, act out ideas, and use simple sentence frames.
   • Increase independence in grades 3–5 by encouraging students to fill out organizers and set their own goals.

A Realistic Example: Opinion Writing in Grade 3

Let’s imagine you’re teaching a third-grade opinion writing lesson. The class is tackling the question: Should pets be allowed in school? This is a high-interest topic that engages students and sparks debate. Here’s how you could combine the five strategies in one coherent lesson.

Step 1: Graphic Organizer (TREE)

• Begin by introducing the TREE organizer on the board: T = Topic sentence, R = Reasons, E = Explanations, E = Ending.
• With the class, brainstorm reasons why pets should or should not be allowed. Write their suggestions in the “R” section.
• Then, ask students to select their top three reasons and write them down in their organizers. Under each reason, guide them to jot down one explanation (e.g., “Pets make students happy → This helps kids focus more in class”).

Teacher language:

“Writers, remember that your reasons are stronger if you explain why they matter. If your reason is ‘Pets are fun,’ how does that help in school? Let’s add an explanation underneath.”

Step 2: Sentence Starters

• Hand out a list of sentence starters (on an anchor chart or small reference card).
• Model how to plug the organizer notes into a starter:
  • “One reason pets should be in school is that they make students happy.”
  • “Another reason is that pets can teach responsibility.”
• Please encourage students to mix and match the frames so their writing doesn’t sound too repetitive.

Teacher language:

“Sentence starters are like training wheels. They help us get moving. You don’t have to keep them forever, but they make it easier to write complete thoughts now.”

Step 3: Self-Talk

• Before students begin drafting, introduce a self-talk checklist on the board:
  1. Did I write a clear topic sentence?
  2. Do I have three reasons?
  3. Did I explain each reason?
  4. Did I write an ending sentence?
• Ask students to pause after each paragraph and whisper one of the prompts to themselves or check it off their organizer.

Teacher language:

“Good writers talk to themselves while they work. I want you to ask yourself: Did I explain my reason? If the answer is no, go back and add more.”

Step 4: Modeling

• Show your own quick draft on chart paper or a projector. Write one reason and an explanation in real time.
• As you write, stop and make mistakes on purpose: cross out a vague sentence, add a stronger detail, or swap a starter.

Teacher language:

“Hmm… I wrote, ‘Pets are fun.’ That doesn’t sound strong enough. Let me revise. I’ll change it to, ‘Pets make students happy, which helps them stay calm in class.’ See how that’s more convincing?”

This transparency shows students that revising is normal, not a sign of failure.

Step 5: Peer Feedback

• After drafting, pair students for a structured feedback swap. Give them a checklist or a simple routine:
  • Read your partner’s paper.
  • Share one compliment (something that worked well).
  • Share one suggestion (something they could improve).
• Model how to give feedback in a kind, specific way.

Teacher language:

“When you give feedback, avoid saying ‘It’s good’ or ‘It’s bad.’ Instead, say, ‘I like how you used a strong ending,’ or ‘I think you could explain your second reason more.’”

The Result

By the end of the lesson, students have:

• A structured plan (TREE).
• Scaffolds for getting started (sentence starters).
• Internal reminders to guide their work (self-talk).
• A clear model to follow (your live writing).
• A supportive classroom community (peer feedback).

Instead of staring at a blank page, students have the tools and confidence to produce a complete opinion piece.

Why These Strategies Work

Each of these approaches is backed by research in writing instruction:

• Graphic organizers improve organization and content quality.
• Sentence frames help students internalize academic language.
• Self-talk develops metacognition, a key predictor of writing success.
• Modeling shows the invisible thought processes behind good writing.
• Peer feedback builds a classroom community of writers who learn from one another.

Combined, these strategies improve a single piece of writing, enhance writing skills, boost engagement, and change how students think about themselves as writers.

Looking Ahead

Writing doesn’t have to be a mystery for elementary students or their teachers. With practical strategies, students gain confidence, improved writing skills, structure, and motivation to express their ideas.

In this post, we focused on five writing strategies for elementary students and how mentor texts can support these strategies in action, which you can use immediately. But here’s the next question teachers often ask: How do I combine all these strategies into a coherent approach that really sticks?

That’s what we’ll explore in the second blog of this series: a research-based framework that blends writing strategies with self-regulation so students grow into confident, independent writers.

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This blog is the third installment in my three-part series on SRSD in Canada, where I explore how evidence-based writing instruction is transforming classrooms across provinces. If you missed the earlier posts, you can start with:

• The Science of Writing: Why Canadian Schools Need SRSD Now
• SRSD Implementation Strategies for K–12 in Canada

Together, these three blogs offer a roadmap for Canadian leaders: why writing instruction matters, how to implement SRSD across grade levels, and how to fund evidence-based writing PD using existing resources.

Discover Existing Funding Avenues Within School Budgets

School districts and education leaders across Canada know how critical strong writing skills are for students’ long-term success. The research on explicit, evidence-based writing instruction is clearer than ever, and programs like Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) are gaining traction in schools determined to close achievement gaps. But the pressing question remains: how do boards actually pay for it?

The encouraging news: most boards already have funding streams that overlap with writing instruction and literacy improvement. Leaders can unlock funds often hiding in plain sight by strategically connecting evidence-based practices in writing PD to existing priorities. Success comes from knowing where to look, how to frame the initiative, and how to sustain it across years and departments.

Common Funding Lines That Support Writing PD

Regardless of region or board size, literacy improvement is embedded in multiple budget lines. By aligning your planning with these existing allocations, boards can build a cost-effective strategy for scaling PD.

• Curriculum and Instruction PD Budgets
  Most boards already earmark funds for teacher planning, strategies, and instructional techniques. If your board’s three-year improvement plan prioritizes literacy, these funds can directly support writing-focused PD.
  
• Literacy Intervention and Recovery Funds
  Following COVID-19, provinces invested heavily in literacy recovery. Writing PD, particularly structured approaches like SRSD, can be positioned as part of learning acceleration efforts for students who are behind.
  Ontario Learning Recovery Plan

• ELL / MLL / EAL Supports
  Students identified as English Language Learners (ELL), English as an Additional Language (EAL), or Multilingual Learners (MLL) benefit greatly from explicit instruction using mentor texts, structured feedback, and vocabulary development. Boards often dedicate funding to closing these language gaps.
  Ontario ESL/ELD Policy

• Special Education Allocations
  SRSD is strongly supported in research with students with learning disabilities and diverse needs. Allocations for students requiring targeted interventions can be tapped to pilot or expand writing PD.
  What Works Clearinghouse: SRSD Research

• Indigenous Education Budgets
  Writing instruction highlighting voice, identity, and culturally relevant approaches aligns well with Indigenous education priorities. For example, British Columbia provides targeted Indigenous Education funding for boards.
  BC Indigenous Education Funding

• Rural and Small School Innovation Funds
  Multi-grade classrooms in rural Canada need flexible, efficient writing instruction. Ontario’s Rural and Northern Education Fund (RNEF) is one example of resources that can be used to support effective PD.
  Ontario Rural and Northern Education Fund

Provincial Levers and How to Frame SRSD

Each province has unique funding mechanisms and educational priorities. Understanding these helps leaders position evidence-based writing PD for success.

Ontario
After the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s Right to Read (2022), boards are expected to use evidence-based literacy practices. The 2023 Ontario Language Curriculum reinforces the importance of systematic, explicit instruction in reading and writing.
Ontario Right to Read Inquiry | Ontario Language Curriculum 2023

British Columbia
BC emphasizes Core Competencies (Communication, Thinking, Personal, and social) and proficiency-based learning. Framing writing PD as central to education, skills development, and social-emotional growth makes it a strong fit.
BC Core Competencies | BC Proficiency Scale

Alberta & Saskatchewan
Alberta is implementing a new English Language Arts and Literature (ELAL) curriculum focused on structured, explicit approaches. Saskatchewan’s 2023 Human Rights Commission report on reading disabilities highlights the urgency of interventions, making writing PD a natural extension.
Alberta ELAL Curriculum | Saskatchewan Right to Read Report

Atlantic Canada
Results from the Pan-Canadian Assessment Program (PCAP) underscore ongoing literacy challenges. Provinces like Nova Scotia now provide targeted recovery grants and pilot funds that can be aligned with evidence-based writing PD.
PCAP 2021 Report | Nova Scotia OST Grants

Cooperative and Shared Service Models

Boards can reduce costs and maximize impact by collaborating:

• Board Consortia  Neighboring boards pool funds for shared PD sessions or coaching. In Ontario, procurement groups like OECM make joint initiatives cost-effective.
• University Partnerships  Partnering with education faculties opens access to cost-shared PD and opportunities to publish local student data for grants.
• Philanthropy & Foundations   Canadian foundations and local education funds often support PD framed as equity and career-readiness initiatives.

Making the Case: A Clear Funding Narrative

When presenting to finance teams or trustees, leaders succeed by showing:

• Research-based and proven outcomes (e.g., SRSD effect sizes with students with LD)
  Meta-Analysis of SRSD
• Target groups (ELL, LD, Indigenous, rural learners)
• Planning and progress monitoring (baseline assessments → checkpoints → growth data)
• Sustainability (e.g., Year 2 costs decline as coaches and curriculum specialists take over training)

Conclusion

Investing in evidence-based writing PD is not about finding new money but reframing existing priorities. Across Canada, leaders are strategically tapping curriculum funds, literacy recovery budgets, Indigenous education allocations, and rural innovation grants to make writing instruction a reality. By aligning initiatives with provincial strategies, leveraging shared service models, and grounding proposals in research, schools can give teachers the strategies, feedback, and mentor texts they need to transform student writing. The path forward is clear: with thoughtful planning and smart funding alignment, boards can ensure every student builds the writing skills, vocabulary, and confidence they need for success.

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Understanding the SRSD Framework and Its Role in Canadian Schools

This is the second installment in my three-part series on SRSD in Canada.

Canadian school boards face a demanding challenge: finding an evidence-based writing intervention that is flexible enough for kindergarten through high school, that works for both small rural classes and bustling urban schools, that respects bilingual realities, and that coaches teachers to deliver lasting change. Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) has established itself as a gold standard for explicit writing instruction across North America. The best part? With a strong implementation plan, Canadian leaders can see sustainable gains across every context and student profile, including those with learning disabilities.

Start with Clarity: SRSD as Framework

SRSD isn’t a replacement curriculum. It’s a structured methodology designed to weave directly into a board’s existing writing content, whether Ontario’s new Language curriculum, Alberta’s updated ELA standards, or cross-curricular writing in BC and Saskatchewan.

What shifts for teachers with SRSD? The heart is moving to explicit instruction: Teachers model not just how to write but also the self-regulation strategies that underpin strong writing. Students don’t just write to prompts; they learn to plan, set goals, use self-talk, and apply flexible strategies to every genre. The classroom looks different: many think-alouds, plenty of student “goal setting,” classroom anchor charts, and routine debriefs linking writing strategies to real outcomes.

One key to embedding SRSD for the long term is investing in instructional coaching. Change sticks when teachers get regular, just-in-time support—not just front-loaded PD. Canadian systems that have built effective science of reading (SoR) models now know that sustainable improvement lives in job-embedded coaching and mentor-mentee relationships.

Year 0 (Planning): Build the Backbone

The groundwork matters before launching any new instructional initiative. Districts that invest in a deliberate pre-launch phase see higher uptake, fewer “pockets of resistance,” and stronger data stories later on.

Key steps:

• Form a diverse implementation team. This should include board-level administrators, curriculum leaders, instructional coaches, and teachers from different grade bands and program types.
• Pilot or universal launch? Start with a limited group for pressure-testing and proof points, or roll out broadly for system-wide energy? Both approaches work, but pilots often provide useful data and teacher champions.
• Design the PD and data plan: Map out training, regular coaching conversations, and a clear strategy for capturing baseline, interim, and endline data on teacher practice and student writing.
• Align funding and resources: Identify whether SRSD will be resourced through board PD lines, provincial grants, or (in some provinces) specific literacy improvement dollars.

The foundation built in Year 0 will determine how smoothly the intervention progresses, especially in large or decentralized boards, as it sets the stage for the development of effective teaching strategies. A clear backbone plan means everyone knows not just the “what,” but also the “why” and “how”—before the classrooms get busy.

Year 1 (Learn + Launch): Teacher Course + Unlimited Mentoring

Effective SRSD adoption starts by equipping teachers. A flexible, self-paced course—broken out by grade bands (K–1, 2–5, and 6–12)—gives every educator the necessary core SRSD routines, classroom moves, and genre-specific examples.

Coaches play a different role. A “Master Class” series delivered live and focused on real classroom practice gives instructional coaches, lead teachers, and mentors hands-on experience in observing, supporting, and troubleshooting SRSD routines.

What distinguishes a high-fidelity SRSD system?

• Classroom look-fors: Consistent student self-talk, teacher modeling, goal setting, and strategy anchor charts appear in every class.
• Fidelity tools: Coaches use checklists, rubrics, and video recordings to ensure lessons match the SRSD model.
• Student work sampling: Writing samples are collected at the start, midpoint, and end to measure growth beyond test scores or anecdotal feedback.
• Curricular pacing: Most boards align SRSD windows with their writing units but allow built-in “pause, catch-up, and spiral” time teachers don’t feel rushed, and student needs drive the pace.

Table: Year 1 SRSD Implementation Roadmap

Month	Teacher Activity	Coach Activity	Admin/Leadership
September	Complete SRSD course	Attend Master Class	Set data collection dates
October–December	Classroom modeling	Observe, give feedback	Monitor fidelity checks
January–March	Peer lesson demos	PLCs, mentor group	Review dashboard
April–June	Adjust/pivot routines	Deep-dive into data	Plan for Year 2 scaling

Year 2 (Deep Integration & Scale): Make it Permanent

By Year 2, the groundwork pays off. Implementation shifts from “project” to “how we write here.” Curriculum teams embed Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) tools into English Language Arts (ELA), science, social studies, and RTI/intervention blocks where writing is assessed. Multi-disciplinary use accelerates student metacognition, enhances student engagement, and helps teachers see the value of education across grades and subjects.

Instructional coaches lead grade-band or vertical PLCs, supporting regular data dives and lesson study. Teachers begin to take on more peer-modeling: sharing annotated writing samples, inviting colleagues into STRATEGY lessons, and integrating social-emotional learning into the practice to build a knowledge network across schools.

Admin and board leaders have real-time data: teacher uptake rates, fidelity of lesson delivery, and student outcomes—often visualized through simple dashboards.

Districts using consortia or multi-board collaborations can now expand sharing discoveries, artifacts, and lessons learned, building a regional playbook for SRSD sustainability. Fidelity isn’t left to chance; it’s measured, celebrated, and supported at each stage.

Special Cases: Flexing SRSD for Canadian Realities

Canadian classrooms demand flexibility.

Early Writers (K–1): Rather than waiting for fluent transcribers, SRSD works from where writers start: labeling drawings, moving to sentence creation, then genre awareness. Teachers model the simplest strategies (“What was my idea again? Let’s say it three times before I write”).

ELL/MLL Students: SRSD’s self-talk routines can be introduced in students’ strongest language. Teachers encourage students to plan, rehearse, and prompt themselves using their home language as a bridge to English or French tasks.

Split Grades and Rural Settings: Multi-grade teachers use common mini-lessons for planning and revision, but tailor tasks for primary vs. junior learners. Rural/remote schools share anchor charts and work samples across grades, using virtual PLCs to build consistency even when teacher turnover is high.

Indigenous Schools and Communities: SRSD adapts for local priorities. Schools engage community input on culturally relevant prompts, respect sovereignty in program design, and ensure writing strategies arise from, not simply are applied to, community contexts. Elders or local knowledge keepers might participate in story planning or sharing circles.

Markers of Progress: What to Notice by Thanksgiving, by June, and in Year 2

Boards need clear indicators of self-regulated momentum, not just hope. Here are sample milestones to map:

By Thanksgiving

• Coaches observe teachers using explicit modeling and talk-alouds
• Students articulate simple writing strategies (“Plan, say, write, check”)
• Early writing samples show more detail and planning, even among K–3

By June

• 70%+ of participating teachers implement full SRSD routines
• Student work: longer, better-organized, more self-monitoring, and more self-correcting writing
• Data dashboard tracks both qualitative voice (teacher/student reflection) and quantitative outputs

By Year 2

• SRSD lessons appear in ELA, science, and social studies
• Coaches report stronger teacher confidence and efficacy
• Admin teams close the gap between pilot and universal implementation

Sample Dashboards:

Metric	Data Source	Sample Target
Teacher SRSD Routine      Uptake	Fidelity Rubric	80% by June
Student Self-Regulation Skills	Writing Conference	Up 50% by June
Writing Quality (all learners)	Pre/post writing task	Up 1.5 levels
Teacher Confidence	Survey/interview	90% positive

Voice matters too. Teachers talked about how planning tools calmed their reluctant writers, boosting their motivation to engage in writing exercises. Students describe the steps they use to approach a big task. These mini-stories provide “on the ground” feedback, bringing dashboard data to life.

Ready to Build a Board-Level Plan?

Canadian schools can benefit from a successful SRSD implementation, offering a framework to integrate writing strategies in existing curricula. Leaders looking to bring SRSD into their district, region, or network can have a full “SRSD Canada Implementation Blueprint Pack.” This includes role maps, timelines, PD session outlines, fidelity checklists, data dashboards, and sample teacher-facing resources.

Those who want a personal walkthrough can book a free board strategy session with an experienced SRSD researcher. Gain local insight into how provinces with new language curricula, centralized PD models, or high-need rural/remote schools make SRSD work at scale.

Bonus Resources:

• Customizable Gantt chart implementation template
• Coach look-for and self-assessment templates
• Leadership slides perfect for board presentations or PD days

SRSD doesn’t just fill a gap; it offers a research-backed route to better writing outcomes for Canadian schools no matter the geography, language, or grade level. Administrators and coaches working together can expect sustainable growth, equity across cohorts, and a lasting writing culture.

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Bridging the Literacy Gap: From Reading to Writing

Canada’s commitment to high-quality reading instruction has grown sharper over the past decade. New provincial standards for structured literacy and sweeping investments in educator training have started to tilt early reading outcomes in a positive direction. But while students can now sound out words and read with greater fluency, the fundamental task of effective communication through creativity and conveying ideas with clarity on the page remains a silent gap.

Literacy leaders, coaches, and consultants across Canada are beginning to recognize that reading-only reform falls short if classroom writing proficiency is left to chance. The strongest research on writing, much of it led by Karen Harris and Steve Graham, delivers a simple, powerful message: effective writing isn’t a moonshot or a gift, but something that can be taught, step by step, using methods as thoroughly studied as those behind the Science of Reading.

SRSD (Self-Regulated Strategy Development) now enters as the structured writing counterpart to structured literacy: explicit, evidence-driven, developmental, and completely adaptable to Canadian classrooms from coast to coast, emphasizing effective writing as a core component.

The Canadian Literacy Landscape Is Shifting: Reading Gains Without Writing Won’t Hold

Provincial curricula have rallied around the Science of Reading with initiatives unifying teacher practice and raising public expectations. Yet, they have not equally embraced the science of writing, leaving instruction in this area less coherent and more inconsistent. And yet, writing instruction often lacks a cohesive strategy, yielding inconsistent results and lost opportunities for students—especially those still learning the language or struggling to access complex content.

Research shows that explicit, strategy-based writing instruction boosts outcomes in language arts and across the curriculum, aiding comprehension in science, social studies, and math. Unlike the often-assumed approach that students “pick up” writing skills through exposure or creative tasks, evidence from leading scholars tells a different story:

• Explicit instruction in genre and strategy: When teachers model and scaffold how to plan, draft, revise, and check their writing, students show larger, faster gains in both narrative and informational text.
• Metacognition in writing: Teaching students how to regulate their own writing process—setting goals, self-monitoring, and reflecting—translates directly into higher achievement, greater confidence, and resilience.
• Writing to deepen learning: Structured writing tasks encourage students to organize their thinking, make connections, and solidify understanding in content areas.

Research-based writing instruction is the key to closing persistent gaps in achievement for students who are learning English or French or who require additional support.

Why “writing to learn” is vital:

• Increases information retention in all subjects
• Boosts performance on standardized assessments
• Improves student voice and participation, especially for multilingual learners

What SRSD Is and How It Complements Structured Literacy

SRSD stands for Self-Regulated Strategy Development. Developed from decades of rigorous research, it offers a clear, teacher-friendly framework that steps beyond “just write more” or “follow the writing process.” SRSD is about teaching powerful strategies and the self-regulation skills needed to apply them independently—across genres, grades, and linguistic backgrounds.

SRSD operates through six stages:

1. Develop Background Knowledge
2. Discuss It
3. Model It
4. Memorize It
5. Support It
6. Independent Performance

Each stage empowers students by mixing guided instruction, gradual release, and motivational scaffolding. Planning, drafting, revising, and editing become visible and actionable.

SRSD is not a ready-made curriculum with set lesson plans. Instead, it wraps around your existing provincial curriculum, aligning with British Columbia’s Core Competencies, Ontario Language (2023), Alberta’s new ELA updates, or any other regional priorities. This flexibility ensures SRSD can work in French Immersion and multilingual classrooms, secondary or elementary, and is particularly effective for students performing below grade level.

How SRSD Scales

SRSD is developmentally responsive. New K–1 training and resources support emergent writers, while adaptations for older elementary and secondary classrooms tie directly into key provincial expectations for argumentation, narrative writing, and informational text.

SRSD in Action:

Grade Level	Genre Focus	Provincial Curriculum Links
K-1	Simple stories, recount	Oral language, print concepts, writing
2-5	Narrative, opinion, info	Text structure, audience, self-editing
6-9	Argument, research	Inquiry, evidence, formal composition
10-12	Academic writing, essay	Critical thinking, analysis, synthesis

Teachers find that once SRSD is layered in, their instructional routines become more consistent—students know what to expect, and the classroom buzz changes from “what do I write?” to “how can I make my ideas stronger?”

The Evidence: What Districts Typically See by Month 3–4

Implementation science reminds us that real change shows up not only in test scores, but first in classroom routines and student attitudes, highlighting the importance of the science of writing in transforming educational practices. Three to four months after SRSD training, most districts report a series of consistent indicators:

• Faster writing plans—students spend less time stuck at the blank page.
• Stronger organization—writing takes on clearer beginnings, middles, and ends.
• Increase in revision and editing—students start to see writing as a craft, not a single draft.
• Significant growth in writing volume and stamina.
• Motivation and self-efficacy—students speak more confidently about their writing and are more willing to take risks.

Feedback often includes testimonial comments like, “She actually enjoys writing now- she asks if we have time for it! “or “His science journals are clearer, and he uses the strategy language without prompting.”

Careful studies confirm that SRSD’s impact extends beyond ELA scores. Students using SRSD strategies transfer the skills into reading comprehension and structured note-taking. Teachers in social studies and science report improved student explanations and summaries. This link between structured literacy and structured writing instruction is the “secret ingredient” that helps reading gains stick.

What Canadian Boards Ask Most Often (and How We Answer)

Will SRSD fit our provincial curriculum and pacing?

SRSD isn’t an “add-on”, it’s designed to enhance what you already do. Coaches work with instructional teams to map SRSD routines directly to provincial expectations and typical thematic units.

Can SRSD work in French Immersion or bilingual programs?

Absolutely. SRSD can be adapted for dual-language classrooms in Canada and the US, with strategy anchors and self-talk routines available in both languages.

How do you differentiate for students below grade level or ELLs?

The explicit, strategy-based approach at the heart of SRSD is especially powerful for students who require clarity, modeling, transcription, and more opportunities for guided practice. It seamlessly integrates with the creative process of writing. Instructional routines can be adapted using language supports, syntax guidance, and visual scaffolds, all while keeping expectations high.

How does this look in split grades or small rural schools?

SRSD routines and strategy language create shared reference points among multi-age groups, making it easier for teachers to model, confer, and provide feedback, regardless of grade splits.

What is the investment and can we sustain it?

Entry-level options allow even small boards or rural schools to start with focused pilots. Year 2 integration planning supports sustainability and cost savings, with coach and lead teacher training that builds internal expertise for the long term.

How Boards Can Get Started in One Term (And Scale in Year 2)

Schools don’t need to overhaul everything at once. The path to building evidence-based writing instruction can be mapped over two key phases:

Year 1 (Getting Started):

• Enroll primary classrooms or grade bands in an SRSD professional learning course with live support and tailored resource guides.
• Engage one or more instructional coaches in a master class, building leadership and troubleshooting capacity.

Year 2 (Scaling and Deepening):

• Expand SRSD routines across additional grades as initial cohorts share successes and strategies.
• Collaborate with curriculum leads to embed SRSD into language, French, and content area docs, including template strategy charts and student self-monitoring checklists.
• Leverage before-and-after student samples and peer-to-peer coaching as models for classroom practice.

A quick-reference roadmap, including sample timelines and checklists, helps each board integrate SRSD without disrupting existing assessment calendars or curriculum maps.

Ready to Close the Writing Gap?

Those leading literacy reform in Canada are making progress. Now, SRSD is positioned to address the writing side of the equation with the same rigor that redefined early reading by integrating principles from the science of writing. Districts and schools interested in practical, evidence-based writing improvement can connect for a school-specific discovery call to determine how SRSD aligns with your provincial curriculum, assessment cycle, and budget realities. The writing gap can close – and Canadian classrooms are ready.

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The Science Behind Effective Writing Strategies

A New Era in Writing Instruction

Schools are grappling with a persistent challenge across the U.S., Canada, and beyond: how to improve student writing reliably. Despite decades of initiatives, countless curricula, and workshop-style programs, writing proficiency remains among the most elusive instructional outcomes. The stakes couldn’t be higher for instructional coaches, curriculum directors, and school administrators. Writing is foundational for academic success, career readiness, and critical thinking yet it is notoriously difficult to teach effectively at scale.

But what if there were a model that not only improved writing quality dramatically, but also supported students’ motivation, self-regulation, and long-term independence as writers? And what if that model was already validated across 15 years of meta-analytic research?

Meet Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD).

Developed by Dr. Karen Harris in the 1980s and rigorously studied, SRSD combines explicit strategy instruction with self-regulation tools to transform students’ writing skills. This blog synthesizes the findings from numerous peer-reviewed meta-analyses (2010—current) to show why SRSD is the most impactful writing intervention available today and what it means for school systems ready to address diverse student needs and raise the bar on writing.

What Is SRSD? A Proven Instructional Framework

Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) transforms writing instruction by explicitly teaching students how to think like writers. Rather than relying on isolated tips or rigid templates, SRSD equips students with flexible strategies they can internalize, adapt, and use independently across genres and task

The approach unfolds across six research-based writing instruction stages that build both writing skill and self-regulation:

1. Develop Background Knowledge – Build the foundation for strategy use.
2. Discuss It – Engage students in metacognitive conversations about writing.
3. Model It – Show the thinking behind expert writing decisions.
4. Memorize It – Ensure students can recall strategies with ease.
5. Support It – Scaffold and guide students as they take ownership.
6. Independent Performance – Fade support and celebrate self-directed writing.

Throughout SRSD instruction, students learn powerful, genre-specific strategies like TREE (opinion), TIDE (informative), and C-SPACE (narrative). Just as important, they develop habits of mind like setting goals, monitoring progress, and using self-talk to stay motivated.

The result? Writing becomes manageable, purposeful, and rewarding. SRSD demystifies the process and turns students into capable, confident communicators.

Meta-Analytic Findings: How SRSD Changes Writing Outcomes

Meta-analytic reviews from leading literacy researchers, including Steve Graham, Karen Harris, and others, provide compelling evidence that SRSD outperforms other writing interventions across multiple dimensions:

1. Writing Quality: Very Large Gains

SRSD consistently produces large effect sizes (1.1–1.3) in writing quality. These numbers are not just statistically impressive; they translate into visibly better writing, more organized essays, richer ideas, and clearer structure. Compared to most other interventions (including process writing and product-goal models), they yield moderate or small effects.

Key Insight: SRSD doesn’t just help students write more; it helps them write better, faster.

2. Writing Length: Moderate, Purposeful Gains

While SRSD’s primary focus is on quality, studies have also found moderate increases in writing length (average effect size ~0.47). But here’s the nuance: SRSD students learn to write more relevant content, not just longer essays. Their writing tends to be more efficient, with a higher density of key ideas.

Key Insight: SRSD encourages purposeful elaboration, not filler.

3. Genre-Specific Content: Exceptionally High Impact

Perhaps the most overlooked SRSD advantage is its effect on genre-specific writing. Studies report effect sizes as high as 2.4 when measuring inclusion of key genre elements. Students taught with SRSD produce persuasive arguments, informative reports, and compelling stories with all the required components and then some.

Key Insight: SRSD ensures students hit the mark for every genre they write in.

4. Beyond Writing Scores: SRSD Builds Stronger Learners

SRSD goes far beyond surface-level gains. It promotes deep learning behaviors that empower students as independent learners. By explicitly teaching goal setting, self-monitoring, and self-talk, SRSD helps students develop the metacognitive tools to navigate complex tasks across subjects. These are not just writing skills, they are life skills that build confidence, resilience, and academic independence.

5. Self-Regulation: Building Strategic Thinkers

Meta-analyses show that SRSD’s unique emphasis on self-regulation (goal setting, self-monitoring, and self-instruction) leads to stronger long-term outcomes. Students learn what to write and how to approach writing as a process.

Key Insight: SRSD doesn’t just produce better writing—it cultivates better writers.

6. Motivation and Self-Efficacy: From Reluctant to Empowered

SRSD has some of the largest reported effect sizes (1.0 to 2.5) on affective outcomes like confidence and writing motivation. It addresses various student needs through the use of mentor texts. Students who once dreaded writing come to see it as a skill they can master. This is crucial in environments where disengagement and low self-confidence hinder achievement.

Key Insight: With SRSD, motivation is not an afterthought—it’s an outcome.

Genre Versatility: One Framework, Multiple Applications

For school leaders, flexibility matters. SRSD is not limited to one type of writing. It has demonstrated strong effects in:

• Narrative writing (e.g., story grammar strategies)
• Opinion writing (e.g., TREE)
• Informative/explanatory writing (e.g., TIDE)

This cross-genre strength means a school doesn’t need to adopt multiple programs for each genre. Instead, SRSD offers a unifying, scalable model for writing across the curriculum.

Key Insight: SRSD is a one-stop solution for multi-genre writing instruction, embodying evidence-based practices.

How SRSD Compares to Other Writing Approaches

Let’s consider how SRSD stacks up against other commonly used instructional models, based on meta-analytic findings:

Instructional Method	Effect Size	Summary
SRSD (Strategy + Self-Regulation)	1.1 – 1.3	Highest impact method across genres
Strategy Instruction Only	~0.76	Moderate; lacks SRSD’s motivational and self-regulation components
Process Writing (Workshop Model)	~0.43	Helpful, but inconsistent and often unscaffolded
Product-Focused Goals	~0.55	Encourages structure, but limited without modeling
Minimal Guidance (Graphic Only)	~0.2 or less	Least effective – lacks direct instruction

Key Insight: SRSD’s comprehensive approach outperforms partial or minimal models by a wide margin.

Evidence for All Learners: SRSD Supports Equity

SRSD has demonstrated effectiveness for:

• Students with learning disabilities
• Students with behavioral challenges
• English learners
• Average and high-achieving students

Meta-analyses consistently show that SRSD delivers strong results across diverse populations, making it a rare example of an equity-driven instructional model that also raises the ceiling.

Key Insight: SRSD closes gaps while lifting the top.

SRSD Works in Real Classrooms – Not Just Research Labs

A critical concern for school leaders is whether research-based interventions translate to authentic classrooms. The evidence says yes.

In fact, in one meta-analysis, classroom teachers implementing SRSD achieved an effect size of 1.52—equivalent to that of researchers in controlled settings.

Key Insight: SRSD is not just research-proven; it’s teacher-powered.

What Implementation Looks Like in Schools

When implemented with fidelity, SRSD includes:

• Teacher training in explicit strategy instruction
• Modeling and think-aloud practices
• Self-regulation scaffolding
• Collaborative practice and goal setting
• Use of student-friendly mnemonics (POW, TREE, TIDE, etc.) tailored to meet student needs

Schools that have adopted SRSD often begin with one genre and scale up. Instructional coaches play a key role in building teacher capacity, guiding lesson modeling, and aligning SRSD to curriculum pacing.

Implications for School Leaders and Curriculum Planners

If your district is:

• Searching for writing interventions that actually move the needle
• Looking to reduce writing achievement gaps
• Facing demands to show data-driven impact

…then SRSD offers a high-leverage, research-backed solution.

Key actions for adoption:

1. Provide professional development rooted in the SRSD model
2. Start with one genre (opinion is often easiest) and build from there
3. Encourage peer modeling and instructional coaching
4. Integrate SRSD with your existing curriculum and writing rubrics
5. Use writing samples and student reflections as evidence of growth

Conclusion: SRSD Is the Writing Intervention You’ve Been Waiting For

The verdict is in. SRSD is not another passing trend or one-size-fits-all workbook. It is a rigorously tested, adaptable, and deeply effective approach to writing instruction that equips students with the skills and mindset to succeed.

For instructional coaches, administrators, and curriculum leaders, SRSD is a strategic investment with a high return. It promises better writing, stronger self-regulation, and empowered students.

If your goal is to bring writing instruction into the 21st century, grounded in research and driven by results, then the time for SRSD is now.

You’re not alone if you’re a teacher caught in the crossfire between phonics mandates and comprehension goals. The current landscape of literacy instruction is being shaped by two powerful movements: the Science of Reading and the Science of Learning, both of which rely heavily on research. While each contributes essential insights, they often focus on what we teach before students can read or write fluently. But what comes after? What helps students apply their foundational skills in real-world reading and writing tasks? Enter the Science of Writing, specifically, Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD).

This blog explores how SRSD, an evidence-based writing framework, seamlessly aligns with the cognitive principles underpinning the Science of Learning and helps solve one of literacy education’s most pressing problems: transfer, by drawing on extensive research in the field. We’ll also draw on a compelling essay by Harriett Janetos, “The Science of Reading Meets the Science of Learning: Fast-Tracking Phonics,” which underscores the risks of over-teaching foundational skills at the expense of meaningful literacy experiences.

The Problem: Over-teaching the Foundations, Underpreparing for Application

Harriett Janetos, a seasoned reading specialist, argues that we often spend too much time on foundational skills, especially phonics, and not enough on applying those skills and the knowledge gained in authentic contexts. In her words, “We over-teach foundational skills at our peril. It eats up precious classroom time that could have been focused on other goals, including time reading text representing a range of topics and genres, or providing explicit writing instruction.”

Her piece draws on cognitive scientists like Mark Seidenberg, who advises that phonics instruction should be short, focused, and sufficient to give students “escape velocity.” In other words, they just need enough decoding skills to be able to read real texts. Beyond that, foundational overkill can harm students by delaying exposure to reading, writing, and thinking that build comprehension, vocabulary, and long-term literacy.

So what’s missing? A way to move children from knowing how to read to knowing how to think through text. And that’s where the Science of Writing enters the equation.

The Science of Writing: What It Offers

The Science of Writing focuses on the strategies, scaffolds, and self-regulation tools students need to produce and comprehend written text. It’s not a separate silo. It’s the logical next step after phonics. Writing helps reinforce decoding, builds vocabulary, deepens understanding of syntax, enriches knowledge, and encourages students to make meaning.

Unfortunately, writing instruction often gets sidelined despite the importance of integrating effective communication strategies to enhance student learning. In many elementary classrooms, teachers may spend hours teaching students to decode, but precious little time is allocated to learning how to compose. When writing is taught, it’s often in the form of prompts and products, not process.

Yet writing is a cognitively demanding task that often requires explicit instruction to master effectively. It draws on students’ knowledge to enhance their skills. It also draws on executive functioning, attention, planning, and goal-setting. The act of writing makes students more aware of the structures and purposes of text, which can, in turn, improve reading comprehension. It’s a reciprocal relationship—and it needs structure.

Where SRSD Fits In: A Bridge Between Reading and Thinking

Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD), developed by Dr. Karen Harris and Dr. Steve Graham, is an evidence-based instructional approach rooted in both the Science of Writing and Learning. It’s been tested in dozens of randomized controlled trials and is particularly effective for many learners, including students with disabilities, multilingual learners, and those performing below grade level.

SRSD is built on six recursive stages, each providing clear instructions to guide students through the writing process:

1. Develop Background Knowledge
2. Discuss It
3. Model It
4. Memorize It
5. Support It
6. Independent Performance

Each stage is designed to help students internalize genre knowledge (e.g., opinion, narrative, informative writing) and self-regulation strategies (e.g., goal setting, self-talk, and reflection).

This structure aligns with Carl Hendrick’s principles from How Learning Happens, particularly around transfer. Hendrick warns that activities that create the illusion of learning (like rote practice) can fail to prepare students for unfamiliar tasks. In contrast, SRSD builds toward transfer by teaching students what to do in their writing and how to monitor and adapt what they do.

Connecting the Dots: SRSD and the Science of Learning

Let’s take a few of Hendrick’s seven core principles of learning and show how SRSD embodies each one, particularly focusing on the role of writing in this approach:

1. Achievement Leads to Motivation

SRSD helps students experience success early and often. Mnemonics like TREE (Topic, Reason, Explanation, Ending) and TIDE (Topic, Important ideas, Details, Ending) simplify genre structures so students don’t feel lost, enhancing their understanding and expression in different writing genres. Seeing their writing improve through the creative process and creativity motivates them to keep going.

2. Learning Requires Effort and Retrieval

SRSD emphasizes repeated practice, active recall, and constant reading and writing to ensure students engage deeply with the material. Students don’t just hear about strategies; they memorize them, practice them with feedback, and apply them in varied contexts.

3. Novices vs. Experts Learn Differently

SRSD provides scaffolds (graphic organizers, sentence starters, modeled think-alouds) to support novices through explicit writing instruction. As students gain expertise, support fades, allowing for continuous assessment of their growing abilities.

4. Metacognition and Self-Regulation Matter

This is SRSD’s sweet spot. Students are taught to monitor their progress, use self-talk to stay focused, and reflect on their goals. These habits improve not only writing but learning across subjects.

5. Transfer Requires Varied Practice

SRSD explicitly teaches students to generalize strategies to other types of writing, enhancing their composition skills. It’s not locked into a single genre or prompt, allowing flexibility in applying various writing techniques.

In short, SRSD is not just a writing framework; it’s an evidence-based delivery system for the Science of Learning, supported by extensive research.

Why This Matters Right Now

We’re in a moment where schools are under pressure to “fix” reading, and rightly so. But in the rush to double down on phonics, we risk overlooking writing as the missing link.

Janetos’s blog offers a cautionary tale: if we spend all our time on foundational drills, we delay students’ ability to engage with meaningful writing and texts. She calls for a balanced approach that values decodable texts and knowledge-building. Her goal? Escape velocity.

SRSD helps students achieve this by reading more and writing with purpose, structure, and reflection. When students learn to craft an argument, tell a story, or explain a process, they gain knowledge and do more than hit standards. They’re becoming literate thinkers.

What This Looks Like in the Classroom

Imagine a third-grade classroom filled with children. The teacher has already taught basic decoding and spelling patterns, providing instruction that lays the foundation for more complex writing tasks. Now she shifts into opinion writing, integrating it seamlessly into the curriculum. Instead of jumping into a prompt cold, she introduces TREE: Topic sentence, Reasons, Explanations, Ending.

Students memorize TREE using hand gestures and chant it together. They read model essays and identify each part, building their knowledge of effective writing structures. Then, the teacher models writing an opinion essay out loud, pausing to say what she’s thinking: “I’m not sure this reason is strong enough. Let me go back and think of a better one.”

Students then plan their own essays using a graphic organizer. They talk with peers, write drafts, and set small goals (“Today I want to add stronger explanations”). Over time, they internalize not just how to write, but how to think while writing.

This isn’t just writing instruction. It’s a cognitive apprenticeship. And it reflects the very best of what we know from research.

What About Older Students?

Though this blog highlights elementary classrooms, SRSD is not just for younger learners. Its benefits are even more pronounced for middle and high school students who may have learned to decode but never mastered the art of writing.

In secondary classrooms, teachers can use SRSD and incorporate research to enhance writing instruction and:

• Teach content-area writing in science and social studies
• Improve performance on writing essays and constructed responses
• Support multilingual learners with explicit language structures in writing.
• Help students with IEPs organize their thinking and writing

The structure stays the same; the content and expectations adjust.

Conclusion: Toward a More Balanced, Transfer-Oriented Literacy Model

The Science of Reading has given us essential tools to build foundational skills. The Science of Learning reminds us that authentic learning requires retrieval, feedback, metacognition, and transfer. As delivered through SRSD, the Science of Writing ties it all together.

Harriett Janetos put it best: We don’t have a minute to spare teaching things that derail students from real reading and writing. SRSD is an instructional approach that honors both the science and the art of teaching. It equips students not just with skills but also with the confidence and cognitive flexibility to use those skills across disciplines.

If we want students to reach escape velocity, we must teach them to think, not just decode. When taught strategically through SRSD, writing can be the rocket that gets them there.

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