Lisa Collum

Do you know what the real problem is with writing instruction in schools? Our kids never get to truly GROW as writers. Every year the teachers teach writing a little different, everyone has their own way, and it is like pushing the restart button every school year. #teacherli ...

Why are so many kids getting to high school and they have no idea how to write an essay? How does that even happen? #teacherlife #EnglishTeacher @topscorewriting

Take a deep look into your ELA curriculum and tell me if you honestly think the writing portion is going to get your students prepared for the state writing test. Let’s be honest; it’s not. All schools need supplemental writing curriculum that provides students with daily les ...

If your students are not writing a basic essay by October, your school needs a new writing curriculum. Speak up teachers. You cannot be expected to have them ready for the state writing assessment if your school is not providing you with the tools and resources you need. #tea ...

PSA: You cannot teach text-based writing or any type of research paper writing if students do not know the basic structure of an essay. Teach the foundational skills first. Teach the structure. Teach the parts of an essay. #teacherlife #EnglishTeacher @topscorewriting

Oh, that’s right…because on state writing assessments, high school research papers, ACT, SAT, and college essays, you get to write about whatever you want. I forgot. My bad. (pt.2) #teacherlife #EnglishTeacher @topscorewriting

I love when people say that they don’t think kids should be learning structured writing. They should be creative and be able to write about whatever they want. (pt.1) #teacherlife #EnglishTeacher @topscorewriting

Writing does not have to be hard for students or teachers. It’s all about learning the “parts” and the “structure.” #teacherlife #EnglishTeacher @topscorewriting

If your school tells you that you need to raise your class ELA scores, tell them you need a writing curriculum that will prepare the students for the state writing test. You don’t have a magic wand. You need resources that work. #teacherlife #EnglishTeacher @topscorewriting

Every 2nd grader should be able to write a full essay by the end of the school year. They just need the right teaching, tools, and resources. I will repeat that. Every 2nd grader should be able to write a full essay by the end of the school year. #teacherlife #EnglishTeacher ...

You can call it test prep all you want. Writing is a life skill that kids will need for elementary school, middle school, high school, college, and future jobs. #teacherlife #EnglishTeacher @topscorewriting

Why is it that reading gets 95% of the ELA block and writing is always left with 20 minutes each day? I am confused. ELA should include reading and writing. #teacherlife #EnglishTeacher @topscorewriting

You should not have to create or find lessons and activities for your daily writing lessons. That is not your job. Your school should be providing you with writing curriculum, just like every other subject. #teacherlife #EnglishTeacher @topscorewriting

If your school hasn’t provided you with a writing curriculum that provides day-to-day lessons, they can’t expect proficient ELA scores. End of story. #notyourproblem #teacherlife #EnglishTeacher @topscorewriting

Teachers should not have to find lessons and create activities. Stop making them do this. Let them TEACH! #teacherlife #EnglishTeacher @topscorewriting

According to NAEP, only 27% of students measure at the proficiency level from grades 4-12 when it comes to their writing skills. Wake up people! Stop letting other people decide the future for our kids! #teacherlife #EnglishTeacher @topscorewriting

Three-quarters of 12th graders lack proficiency in writing, according to the most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). That is unacceptable. #teacherlife #EnglishTeacher @topscorewriting

Attention people! Whether you have state testing or not, your students still have to take the ACT and/or SAT, write papers in high school, and have to write research papers in college. Writing is a life skill. #teacherlife #EnglishTeacher @topscorewriting

Other people: Your writing teaches a formula. Me: It's called structure. They start with the basic foundations and build from there. For the record, this is research-based. It works for kids. Stop trying to overcomplicate things. #teacherlife #EnglishTeacher @topscorewriting

Let’s stop trying to make things sound fancy. Kids need repetition and practice. End of story. It works. #teacherlife #EnglishTeacher @topscorewriting