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Calkins Units of Study Resources / K-5 Writing

Units of Study in Writing, Grades K-5

Help students grow and develop strong writing skills

The Units of Study in Writing for Grades K–5 draws on the latest research on oral language development, writing instruction, grammar, vocabulary, knowledge generation, feedback, executive function, and growth mindset, as well as on aspects of the science of reading research.
Digital Subscriptions provide anywhere, anytime access to enhance and support instruction, assessment, and professional learning.

The Strands That Are Woven Into Skilled Writing (Sedita, 2019): 1. Critical Thinking (Generating ideas, gathering information, Writing process: organizing, drafting, writing, revising, Syntax) 2. Grammar and syntactic awareness (Sentence elaboration, Punctuation, Text Structure) 3. Narrative, informational, opinion structures (Paragraph structure, Patterns of organization (description, sequence, cause/effect, compare/contrast, problem/solution), Linking and transition words/phrases, Writing Craft) 4. Word choice (Awareness of task, audience purpose, Literary devices, Transcription) 5. 	
											Spelling (Handwriting, keyboarding)

Sedita, J. (2019). The Writing Rope. Rowley, MA, Keys to Literacy. Reprinted with permission from Joan Sedita All rights reserved.

The Writing Rope

The Units of Study in Writing for Grades K–5 is aligned to all strands of the writing rope to enable responsive teaching. In Grades 2 through 5, each writing session includes a daily grammar extension that explicitly supports language skills. The lessons study syntax, sentence elaboration, morphology, punctuation, and conventions of English, and in doing so, strengthen language comprehension.


The Writing Process

Children not only need to write, they also need direct, explicit instruction in the skills and qualities of effective writing.

The Units of Study in Writing provides support, context, and strategies for each part of the writing process. Across the writing process, students move through the stages of planning, drafting, and revision, all of which require them to rehearse and strengthen their knowledge and use of print concepts, syntax, and vocabulary.


Grammar and Spelling

The Units of Study in Writing draws on the latest research on the science of reading, supporting students in the foundational skills needed to be strong writers.

  • Starting in Grade 2, teachers will find grammar and word study extensions designed to sweep up the whole class in lean, explicit grammar instruction.
  • Grades 3–5 include grade-specific grammar lessons. Instruction is sequenced so that students can apply the lessons they learn to their ongoing writing.
  • Spelling minilessons can be woven into the teaching of each writing unit as needed and a new Spelling Modules resource provides carefully sequenced modules for students who need more targeted support in phonics and spelling.

Hear about the Grammar and Spelling Resources for Grades 3–5


Classroom-Ready Teaching Slides

The Units of Study in Writing for Grades 3–5 includes Teaching Slides for every minilesson. Teaching slides display the most important content and visual aids from each Unit Book's Sessions and give the instructor additional tips for teaching. These ready-to-teach slides are simple, concise, and support daily instruction and classroom management.

Teaching Slides are available on Heinemann Flight for every minilesson for Grades 3–5. New purchases include a one-year digital subscription to support instruction. Additional subscriptions are available in one- or multi-year packages.

Teaching Slides for Grades K–2 coming Fall 2025!

Literary Essay Writing Teaching Slides

Digital Writing Experience for Grades 3–5

Heinemann Flight

Heinemann Flight includes a wealth of digital resources that provide anywhere, anytime access to enhance and support instruction, assessment, and professional learning.

New purchases include a one-year digital subscription to support instruction. Additional subscriptions are available in one- or multi-year packages. Contact your rep for more information.

Teacher Tools

  • Assign, guide, and grade student writing in one spot
  • Proprietary Units of Study AI-assisted feedback tool
    • Suggested feedback automatically generated
    • Tuned to each genre and Units of Study instruction, voice and intention
    • Teachers have control- they can choose to use, edit, or discard AI suggestions
  • Assessment tools to track progress digitally and assist in teacher evaluation

Student Tools

  • View and complete assignments
  • Receive in-the-moment teacher feedback to help rehearse, draft, and revise
  • Digital Writer’s Notebook with Units of Study resources on hand for drafting content:
    • Charts
    • Exemplars
    • Mentor Texts

Related Insights and Resources

Why the Writing Workshop is More Important Now Than Ever

Effectively Teaching the Four Genres of Writing to Students

Enhancing Student Learning with Effective Writing Minilessons

9 Tips for Teaching Writing Minilessons

6 New Tools to Introduce Into Your Classroom Writing Center

Record Keeping System Ideas for Writing Teachers


Purchasing Options

Units of Study in Writing, Grade K


Units of Study in Writing, Grade 1


Units of Study in Writing, Grade 2

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Previous Editions

Units of Study in Writing, Grade 3


Units of Study in Writing, Grade 4


Units of Study in Writing, Grade 5


Units of Study in Writing, Grades K-5 Guides and Bundles