The Curation Lab writing instructional method transforms your students into collectors and producers of good writing through the study of model texts. Students examine eight Writing Focuses—genres or styles of writing—in a two-part process that addresses both reading and writing standards.  

During the first part of the Lab, students work to build a class anthology of writings by analyzing language, writing structure, and author’s voice to determine which texts are “good” and worthy of curating. In the second part of the Lab, students take the traits from the model texts they enjoyed most and incorporate them into their own writing pieces.

Resource includes:

• Detailed steps for implementing each part of the Curation Lab process
• Writing Focus introduction page with description, rationale, and Common Core standards alignment
• Tips for Annotation: Writing Focus-specific guidelines and questions for students to consider as they annotate model texts
• Model Texts: Two annotated model texts (un-annotated versions available on included CD) and ideas for additional model texts for each Focus
• Warm-Up Activities: Short writing exercises to transition students to write in the style of each Focus
• Discoveries from the Authors: Anecdotal observations of student achievement the writers observed in their classrooms

©2018. High school. Reproducible. 100 pages.

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Print Book: Spiral-bound, 8 x 11 inches. CD (PDF). Adobe® Reader® required to view PDF.

About the Authors

James Denby and Robin Ulster have both taught for over 20 years. James has a B.A. in Spanish and International Studies from Macalester College, as well as an M.Sc. from the State University of New York. Robin has a B.A. in English, Women's Studies, and Cinema from the University of Toronto, and an M.Ed in Curriculum from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. Robin and James have taught elementary, middle, and high school in Canada, Colombia, Turkey, the United States, and Thailand. They recently took some time off from full-time teaching to provide training in Coding and Design Thinking for teachers and students. They are also writing curriculum and designing online classes for teachers and adult students in History, English, and digital literacy and citizenship.

Robin and James are passionate about teaching and learning, and believe that students are capable of much more than most people think. For years they have been inspired by the hard work of their many colleagues and the potential of students and teachers to make the world a better place. In their free time, Robin and James love hiking, traveling, and learning to code.