Landels Elementary showcases district writing work using 'Writing Revolution'

Landels Elementary teachers and students presented a showcase to the Mountain View Whisman School District board on Feb. 12, where staff highlighted a districtwide push to improve writing skills using a structured approach called the Writing Revolution paired with the Amplify reading curriculum.

Principal and classroom teachers displayed student samples and described a systematic progression from sentence‑level work (subject/predicate, completeness and punctuation) to multi‑paragraph writing and thesis statements. Teacher Liz Perry said the work began with focused professional learning teams and explicit sentence instruction; she noted that one English‑learner student moved from fragmented, run‑on sentences in August to consistent complete sentences with correct capitalization and punctuation by February.

Teacher Ellen Detman described classroom strategies for turning sentence skills into coherent paragraphs, including the use of single‑paragraph outlines (topic sentence, supporting details, conclusion) and structured revision processes that make feedback concrete for students. Staff said universal language for feedback and scaffolded sentence frames have made revision more effective across grade levels.

The presentation also linked writing instruction to English learner supports: teachers reported aligning ELPAC‑style prompts to writing lessons and holding Parent University sessions to help families support writing at home. The district said the work is embedded in site plans and professional development and is intended to improve both writing and language outcomes.

After the presentation trustees thanked students and staff. The board took a short recess for photos before moving on to other agenda items.