The Creative Writer

The curriculum uses appropriately complex literary examples and becomes increasingly demanding across the four levels.

Review notes that 'Levels Two through Four gradually become more difficult' and 'by Level Four students are working at high school or even college level'

The curriculum includes mentor materials with lesson notes to help instructors assist and evaluate students effectively.

Review mentions 'Mentor Materials' sections that provide 'notes on each lesson that help a mentor to assist and evaluate the student' with tips to ensure students understand objectives

The curriculum uses explicit instruction by first demonstrating techniques through examples before having students apply them.

Review states that 'Fishman does an excellent job of first helping students see how authors use techniques before asking students to implement those techniques'

The program includes vocabulary development through creative writing exercises and word play activities.

Review mentions students maintain vocabulary words in practice notebooks and that poetry lessons involve 'word play' that helps develop 'more creative and precise vocabulary'

The curriculum provides highly structured, craft-focused writing instruction with clear skill progression across four levels.

Lessons systematically teach fiction elements (plot, character, dialogue, setting, point of view) and poetry techniques, with students writing 500-word assignments weekly and completing full stories

The curriculum focuses narrowly on writing craft rather than systematically building domain knowledge across subjects.

Content centers on creative writing techniques like plot, character, dialogue, and poetic elements rather than building knowledge in history, science, or cultural literacy

The curriculum uses literary excerpts and short passages rather than whole books for instructional examples.

Review mentions using 'excerpts from literary works' like Tom Sawyer and stories like 'Rapunzel' as examples, though Level Four does require reading 30 pages each from five fantasy novels

No phonics instruction is included, as this program targets students in grades 5-12 who are beyond foundational reading skills.

The curriculum is designed for grades 5-12 and focuses on creative writing rather than foundational reading instruction

Limited evidence of systematic retrieval practice or spaced review of previously learned concepts.

Review focuses on new skill acquisition and creative exercises but doesn't mention review activities or retrieval practice of earlier lessons