Read-Think-Talk-Write: Integrating Literacy with Worthy Texts

In Detroit Public Schools Community District, 1st grade Teacher Tawana Jordan and 4th grade teacher Kaitlyn Billops are engaging students in the Read-Think-Talk-Write framework. The framework gives students an opportunity to synthesize evidence, play with ideas, develop arguments, and “rehearse” various forms of communication during lessons, in order for them to demonstrate a deep knowledge and understanding of the topic in writing. This approach integrates reading, speaking and listening, and writing, and results in the production of high-quality, evidence-based writing for students of all ability levels and learning styles.