The Anything Writing Project in First Grade

This article gives an overview of varying levels of engagement observed in the Grace B. Luhrs University Elementary School First Grade classroom during “Anything Writing” writing workshop. Children in first grade at Grace B. Luhrs are encouraged to use topics of their own choosing when creating their written work while at the same time following basic steps in the writing process. The “Anything Writing” approach offers differentiated instruction opportunities for diverse learners within a community of writers. Observations by university faculty, university students and the first grade teacher are included along with student writing samples. This article is the result of our presentation given at the 2009 National Association of Laboratory Schools Annual Conference hosted by the Barbara K. Lipman Early Childhood School and Research Institute and the Campus School at the University of Memphis