Writing Methodology

The Self-Regulated Strategies Development (SRSD) methodology has been one of the cornerstones of the writing growth, development, and success seen at Lexis Preparatory. The program is recognized throughout the country as one of the leading research-based methodologies for students with executive function or writing deficits, but is now being recognized for its strength for students of all levels and abilities (Graham, Steve. "A Meta-Analysis of Writing Instruction for Adolescent Students." Journal of Educational Psychology. 99.3 (2007):445-476.)

SRSD is a methodology of teaching writing which has been developed through 25 years of research conducted under the direction of Drs. Karen Harris and Steven Graham of Vanderbilt University. This methodology teaches students to employ writing techniques such as planning, monitoring, evaluating, revising, and structure, all of which are essential to higher-level writing. There are six unique characteristics of SRSD that aide in the successful instruction of writing. First and foremost, SRSD is differentiated to meet the needs of each student. Second, teachers learn to slowly withdraw assistance allowing students the ability to take ownership of their writing. Third, the teachers and students develop explicit writing goals. Fourth, SRSD provides instruction that is criterion-based. Fifth, students can work at a pace and level that is conducive to his/her writing ability. Finally, SRSD is flexible which allows the teacher to accommodate, modify or extend as necessary (Sandmel, Karin, et.al. “Making it Work: Differentiating Tier Two Self-Regulated Strategies Development in Writing in Tandem with Schoolwide Positive Behavioral Support.” Teaching Exceptional Children (2009). 

At Lexis Preparatory, students have been using the multisensory strategies to guide them through each stage of the writing process. Students are using the graphic organizer, “TREE” (Topic, Reasons, Ending, Examine) to organize their notes for persuasive writing. Using criterion-based writing rubrics, students are exceeding their own expectations and developing higher-level writing skills. Writing teacher, Mary Alpaugh, M.Ed., states that “SRSD is the best writing methodology she has seen to-date” and that “it is working wonders for the students.” She further maintains that, “teaching writing is an art and teaching students to write independently is not easy. Lexis students are rising to the challenge and proving that they can be talented, creative writers while maintaining standard English conventions.”

Dana Herzberg, M.Ed.