“The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter—’tis the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.” ~Mark Twain All great writing begins with singular words. Vocabulary development begins in infancy. Babies move from babbling…

Bridge to Terabithia is a quintessential middle school read. It is tied to one of our CORE, Level 3 Integrated Literature and Writing units. By the time students reach this level, they are confidently journaling and writing their ideas inspired…

When it comes to learning to read and write, copy work and dictation activities offer students the terrific opportunity to practice newly introduced material and to review previously taught information. Incorporate this activity into your weekly lessons for Hatchling, Volume…

Research writing for middle school moves from research of people to research in the field of science! Over the course of eight lessons, students will explore and research the diversity of the animal kingdom—journalling what they learn each step of…

Storymaker teaches student writers to craft an amazing HOOK! The HOOK is a topic sentence that inspires writers to write their ideas and encourages readers to read on. The subtle distinction we are making between the topic sentence and the…

Great essays have the power to encourage, empower, and enlighten. For this reason, essay writing should not be treated as simply a mechanical endeavor, but rather, as a pathway for the writer to communicate the depths of the heart and…

We’ve all seen scaffolding set up around a building during construction or renovation, right? Scaffolding is simply a temporary support. When it comes to learning to write, our students need scaffolding. And that scaffolding is a partnership: Blackbird & Company…

Who was? What is? Where? When? Why? These are the questions that writers ask as they read for information. Research writing is a unique writing genre where students simultaneously gain knowledge and share ideas to inspire readers to do the…

Take the heavy-handed prep-work out of teaching students to write an essay! Our unique scaffolding, designed to mentor the art of essay writing, will guide your students each step of the way—from brainstorming through revision to the polished final work—allowing…

“All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know.” ~Ernest Hemingway Writing meaningful, true sentences should always be the place to start, take it from Hemingway. Beginning in the 5th grade, students…