Jennifer Adams and Kathy Harris led an engaging and informative professional learning session focused on K–5 writing instruction at Dove Creek Elementary School. During the session, teachers celebrated the strong instructional practices already in place across classrooms and explored next steps for strengthening student writing outcomes.
Participants examined the critical role of oral language in developing confident writers, discussed the impact of shared writing as a scaffold toward independence, and experienced engaging instructional strategies designed to increase student investment and ownership in the writing process.
K–2 participants explored how to utilize decodable texts to craft meaningful sentence-level writing instruction—strengthening the connection between reading and writing. The session highlighted practical, research-aligned approaches to ensure that young writers are supported, challenged, and inspired to grow.
Grades 3–5 participants focused on strengthening instructional alignment and assessment readiness. Teachers examined Depth of Knowledge (DOK) Levels 2 and 3 and unpacked expectations for the Georgia Milestones Assessment System.
Participants also closely analyzed the GUM (Grammar and Usage Mechanics) chart to ensure grammar expectations are explicitly taught within the context of authentic writing instruction. In addition, they began crafting student practice scenarios aligned to the assessment format, helping students build confidence with the structure of the test and develop fluency with the technology tools they will encounter during the GMAS experience.