Reflecting on my coursework has led me to further understand the importance of pairing reading with writing. So often the disciplines are addressed separately, when they need to be taught in tandem. When considering my compelling question, I was constantly drawn back to the importance of writing instruction and especially differentiating instruction to meet the needs of the students we teach. Writing is such a complex process, and students should not be assumed to complete tasks at the same rate as everyone else. When teaching writing to our students, we need to encourage creativity and spend quality time conferencing with each child to help develop young writers, as opposed to developing students who are writing to pass a required assignment or class.

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When completing our ECI 509 course, Teachers as Writers, I was shaken by the content I learned. I was always under the impression that once writing was modeled, students would be able to easily pick up and work through their own writing piece with ease. It never occurred to me to differentiate my teaching or their learning until I completed the WRAP assignment (Writing Resource Application Project). This project required that we read a writing teaching resource of interest to us and then use strategies from the text to teach a writing lesson or unit to our students. After implementing this lesson with my students, I was impressed by the growth and excitement they showed toward writing. This assignment allowed me to differentiate my writing instruction by providing new ways for the students to choose a topic, brainstorm ideas for their topic, and seek help when necessary. When meeting my students where they were with their writing instruction and coaching them as necessary, I noticed more confidence and excitement when tackling written assignments. While my compelling question discusses literacy instruction, writing instruction is a huge component of literacy instruction, and since implementing this lesson plan, I have noticed significant differences with my students, especially in regard to their learner agency. Evidently, differentiated instruction does more than just increase their ability to read and write; it allows students to embody what being a great reader and writer is all about.