InitialWrite

Meet InitialWrite

InitialWrite is an evidence-based, whole-class writing program for the first three years of school that develops the foundational skills children need for successful writing.

InitialWrite focuses on the composition skills involved in writing, including generating ideas and expressing them effectively using well-formed sentences and written texts.

Download scope and sequence

Writing research has identified the key knowledge and skills we must draw on to engage in the writing process. For example, the influential Not-So-Simple View of Writing (Berninger & Winn, 2006) asserts that written text generation depends on language skills for expressing ideas, and relies on transcription skills and executive functions, all constrained by working memory.

InitialWrite is designed for Foundation to Year 2 children and focuses on building the composition skills for writing, by explicitly teaching text generation skills and supporting executive functions with a predictable writing process routine.

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Connecting reading and writing instruction

Through a rich, literature-based approach, InitialWrite connects reading and writing instruction, developing foundational literacy skills alongside the oral language and discourse skills needed for reading comprehension and written text generation.

Fully developed lessons

The program is scripted and provides all the resources and materials teachers need to effectively teach writing. Lessons are delivered four times per week, for approximately 30 minutes in Foundation and Year 1 and for 45 minutes in Year 2.

Literature-based instruction

The lessons are built around a series of purpose-written springboard texts, comprising carefully crafted picture books, short stories, and non-fiction texts.

Cross-curriculum alignment

Springboard texts and accompanying lessons tap into content relevant to the Australian Curriculum in Science, Health and HASS (Humanities and Social Sciences) learning areas, so that children are building useful knowledge across the curriculum as they engage in writing.

Kit components

Teacher Manual
Daily Sentence Book
Assessment Administration Book
Handbooks
Cards and Posters
Storybooks
Student workbooks (available in five state fonts: NSW, QLD, SA, VIC, TAS)
Magnetic Story Track and Icon magnets
Downloadable resources including Lesson Presentation slides

See student work samples

Professional Development

The InitialWrite two-day PD workshop, delivered by MultiLit School Partnership Consultants, covers all the essential information required to implement the program.

Attendees will be introduced to the evidence base informing our approach to supporting composition skills for writing, and spend time becoming familiar with lessons, assessments and the keys to impactful delivery. They will also explore how best to respond to data to support children with different writing needs.

Note: PD is mandatory for first-time purchases of InitialWrite–F and/or InitialWrite–1.

Book InitialWrite PD

InitialWrite in action

Oatley Public School

“What stands out most about InitialWrite resources is their practicality and impact. The clear visuals, consistent language and ease of use make them highly effective for both teachers and students.

They support a seamless integration of writing skills across the day and allow students to transfer their learning across a range of contexts with increasing independence.”

Download case study

Success with writing from the start.