Teaching Structured Writing in Middle School and Upper elementary

I’m sharing what’s changing, what’s staying the same, and what’s evolving in my Structured Writing program for 2026.

After a short break, I reflect on where writing instruction feels different right now, especially as more teachers are rethinking digital tools, screen time, and the return to physical notebooks. I talk through new research that’s shaping my thinking, including insights from The Digital Delusion by Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath, and how it’s influencing the way I design writing instruction.

You’ll hear updates on:

The shift toward a One-Click Curriculum that makes materials easier to find and use
How daily warm-ups and quick writes are expanding to include story starters
Why creative writing and voice matter more than ever
A new Reading Lab format that brings structured discussion into reading instruction
How CER is being intentionally connected across ELA, science, history, and math
What’s coming next for grades 4 through 8
This episode is especially helpful if you teach upper elementary or middle school and are thinking about how to balance structure, creativity, and meaningful writing practice in the year ahead.

Interested in my full writing curriculum? Go HERE: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/s...

🚨Grab the first module of my PD for free here: https://structured-writing-teacher.my...

📝 Looking for writing professional development? My 10-module video course will walk you through ALL the steps of an engaging writer's workshop. You'll see pictures of it in action, and I take a deep, deep dive into HOW to teach the 6 high-priority skills. A bonus module goes deep into the world of teaching essays in middle school. More details here: https://structured-writing-teacher.my...

Here is what you'll learn in the full training:

✏️Overview: Components of A Structured Writing Workshop
Student Leaders
Choice by Design
Power Lessons
Diamond Mining

✏️MODULE 1 Why All the Structure?
Routines over Process
Focus on Writers not Products
The Importance of 3&7

✏️MODULE 2 Set The Scene
Setting
Lights
Music
Quotes

✏️MODULE 3 Handing Over the Keys (Student Leaders)
Student Leadership Jobs
Scripts
Line Length Goals & PRs
The one component to NOT skip

✏️MODULE 4 Teacher Takes the Stage (Power Lessons)
The First Lesson of the Year
The 6 High-Priority Skills
Voice
Hooks
Sentence Complexity
Figurative Language
Vivid Imagery
Show, don't tell
7-minute Dynamic Direct Instruction
Gradual Release Model

✏️MODULE 5 Voice & Choice (Choice By Design)
Benefits of Limited Choice
Pick a Path
Genre Street
Rant & Rave Road
Spinner & Dare Drive
Reluctant Writers

✏️MODULE 6 Diamond Mining
Definition
Trios
Drama of a ‘reveal’
Handling misbehavior

✏️MODULE 7 Essays, Grading, and Grammar
Blocks vs Workshop
Reflect real world expectations
“Deconstruct” an essay
Warm-Ups- engaging AND standards-based

✏️MODULE 8A The Six Super Skills (Power Lessons)
Hierarchy of Skills
Voice
Hooks
Sentence Complexity

✏️MODULE 8B The Six Super Skills(Power Lessons)
Figurative Language
Vivid Imagery
Show, don't tell
Test Prep Boot Camps

✏️MODULE 9 Implementation
Where to find the Resources You Need
Quick-Start Launch
Get Ready Checklist

✏️MODULE 10 Bonus episode!
Essay deep dive
Claims, evidence, reasoning
RACE strategy
Writing intervention

➡️Purchase the training here:
https://structured-writing-teacher.my...


I'm Robin, a middle school teacher and the author of ten children's novels with Disney Hyperion and HarperCollins.

Our workshop reflects the same process I use when working with my editors. I say "our workshop" because that's the point of the workshop... it isn't just a time for me to give lessons and assign a writing assignment. It's THEIR time to tinker and be fearless and try out new things.

They love practicing writing skills with topics that interest them. I use the number 3 and 7 a lot in my workshop... from the writing trios to the lesson minutes... it's all based on brain research.

Do we have time to get in all the standards-based lessons and essays? YES.

My essays are taught in a "block" and skills are taught in the workshop. This way, the skills transfer to ALL types of writing, not just product-driven essays.

So this is a STRUCTURED & STUDENT-LED workshop.

Here are the 5 steps:
1. Set the mood for writing
2. Issue the writing challenge
3. Student leaders
4. The Six Skills Power lessons (the teacher's mini-lessons, but timed by the leaders!)
5. Diamond mining (the secret sauce!)

✅ MY TEACHERS PAY TEACHERS STORE
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/S...

✅ WEBSITE
https://structuredwritingteacher.com/

✅ TIKTOK
/ structuredwritingteacher

✅ EMAIL
robin@structuredwritingteacher.com

✅ THE STRUCTURED WRITING TEACHER BLOG
https://structuredwritingteacher.blog...