Curriculum Associates' New Ready® Writing Helps Students Meet the More Rigorous Writing Expectations of the New Standards

NORTH BILLERICA, Mass., Oct. 20, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Curriculum Associates has expanded its family of Ready^® programs with the launch of Ready Writing for grades 2–5. Built from scratch to support the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), this new research-based program provides educators with rigorous instructional materials as well as easy-to-use professional development resources to help students meet the writing expectations of the new standards. The program also works seamlessly with any ELA curriculum, including Ready Reading, to ensure students are learning to read as readers and as writers.

"With the Common Core, elementary grade students are now expected to do the type of rigorous research that was previously not expected of them until high school," said Adam Berkin, Vice President of Product Development for Curriculum Associates. "This shift requires a new way of teaching. Ready Writing addresses this shift by making writing to sources the focus of each lesson through explicit, step-by-step instruction that takes students and teachers through the research and writing process."

Ready Writing develops proficient writers using a research-based, gradual-release instructional model that deconstructs the complex CCSS into discrete segments that build naturally over the course of a lesson. Each lesson starts with the study of a mentor text that models the structure and organization of exemplary writing. Throughout the lesson, students analyze the mentor text, learn how to use it as a model for their own writing, while receiving guidance from a writing buddy. These features work together to provide explicit modeling needed to develop strong writing.

Each Ready Writing assignment is framed by a motivational real-world writing assignment that requires students to integrate information from source texts—many of which are shared with Ready Reading. An eight-step lesson provides explicit instruction for every step of source-based writing, including gathering and organizing text-based evidence, planning, drafting, revising, and editing.

In addition to the instructional materials, Ready Writing also includes a Teacher Resource Book that offers point-of-use professional development and step-by-step guidance to help teachers address the CCSS writing standards effectively. The program also includes access to the Online Teacher Toolbox with easy-to-use online instructional resources.

Pricing and Availability

The Achievement Classroom Package—25 Student Instruction Books, one Teacher Resource Book, and one-year access to the Online Teacher Toolbox—can be purchased at an introductory cost of $275 until December 31, 2014. Multi-year discounts apply and additional Student Instruction Books can be purchased separately.

Ready Writing Student Instruction Books for Grades 3–5 and the Online Teacher Toolbox are currently available. The Teacher Resource Book for Grades 3–5 will be available in November and all Grade 2 materials will be available in spring 2015.

To learn more about Ready Writing, visit http://www.curriculumassociates.com/products/ready-writing.aspx.

About Curriculum Associates
Founded in 1969, privately owned Curriculum Associates, LLC, designs research-based print and online instructional materials, screens and assessments, and data management tools. The company's products and outstanding customer service provide teachers and administrators with the resources necessary for teaching diverse student populations and fostering learning for all students.

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SOURCE Curriculum Associates