Turn and Go Writing is a K-8 writing program that offers a step-by-step progression of structural writing stages in both narrative and constructed responses and a unique leveling system for measuring a student’s writing ability.
STEP-BY-STEP PROGRESSION
When should students begin adding conflict to their narrative writing? In what grade should students start incorporating textual evidence? Should students learn to write a body paragraph before they learn how to write a thesis statement? Turn and Go Writing addresses questions like these by offering a sequential progression of structural writing stages (“Steps”). Each Step gives one specific writing skill students must master, determined by passing a “Step Check”, before they can progress to the next Step. This progression identifies a student’s Step goal based on their grade level and provides a roadmap for how to reach and master each Step. The Step progression model promotes differentiation and common terminology to ensure consistency across grades, schools, and districts.
MEASURING
WRITING ABILITY
Turn and Go Writing provides Step Checks and clear grading checklists to quickly identify a student’s current Step level at every point in the program. The grading checklists ensure that every student has mastered all of the skills taught in prior Steps and is ready to develop the targeted skill at the next Step. This is unlike the use of a rubric, in which students who receive the same score may have a completely different distribution of points across the rubric’s categories, and therefore have varying skills to develop. Step Checks identify and prioritize individual writing skills in a structured order. The ability to determine students’ Step levels allows teachers to easily identify each student’s individual needs and provide targeted instruction accordingly.
About Us
Katie and Zoe met while teaching at the Learning Community Charter School in Jersey City, NJ. Their principal at the time, Colin Hogan, noticed that the two teachers had similar future goals and interests in getting into curriculum design - specifically, creating a writing program for the school. As a result of Colin’s expert matchmaking, Katie and Zoe began creating the first version of what is now the Turn and Go Writing program. After implementing the program at LCCS and working with teachers to fine-tune the program’s underlying step guide, Katie and Zoe began working to introduce the program to other schools nation-wide.
About Katie
Katie received her B.S. in Education and English from the University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse and her M.Ed. in Reading and Literacy from Benedictine University. She is a licensed K-12 Reading Specialist and 5-12 English Teacher. Katie was born in Niles, IL and was raised in Highlands Ranch, CO. She has taught in LaCrosse, WI, Grenada, West Indies, and Jersey City, NJ. She now resides in Minocqua, WI with her husband and daughters. When not working, you will find Katie running, boating, or downhill skiing.
About Zoe
Zoe received her B.B.A. in Marketing from Temple University. She completed an alternate route program through Teach for America to become a licensed K-6 Elementary School Teacher. Zoe was born and raised in Lancaster, PA. She has taught in New Haven, CT and Jersey City, NJ. She now resides in Morristown, NJ with her husband and houseplants. When not working, you will find Zoe hiking, crafting, or playing board games.