Free Teacher Resources
Type Three and Type Four
These Type Three and Four teacher resource materials support the use of the Collins Writing Program and are provided free of charge. Be sure to check back periodically, as this list of resources continues to grow over time. If you have Collins Writing Program resources that you’d like to share with your colleagues, please contact us. We will promptly review your submission for possible inclusion. And, don’t forget to see our Collins Exchange for new and practical ideas on using and teaching writing.
Type 3 and 4 Free Resources for Teachers
Tips, Assignments, FCAs, and more to support writing skills development in your classroom.
Type Three and Four Basics
Everything you need to get started with Type Three and Four Writing in your classroom.​
Type Three and Four Basics
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Tips for Providing Quick and Meaningful Feedback on Writing
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Diagnostic Writing Prompts for Beginning and End of Year
Focus Correction Areas (FCAs)
Not sure which FCAs to use? Start here!
Symbolic FCAs for Kindergarten
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Standards-Aligned FCA Lists
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Narrative K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12​​​
Purchase Writing Roadmap (hardcopy / PDF) for even more FCA ideas, as well as instructions on how to use student writing samples to teach them.
Teaching with FCAs
Everyday tools for modeling, practicing, and holding students accountable for FCAs in writing. ​
Type Three Assignments and Lessons Plans
Ready-to-use Type Three assignments across genres for use in all subject areas.​
Narrative
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Personal Narrative
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A Special Day in My Life (K-5)
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Writing a Personal Essay (6-8)
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A Moment in Time (9-12)
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Writing About an Influential Person
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Reflecting on My Writing
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Letter to Next Year’s Teacher:
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Informative
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Ten Percent Summary Assignment
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Mystery Word Riddles
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Expert Guide: Explaining a Concept to a New Learner
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Career and Technical (High School)
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Informative Writing: Student Survival Guide
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Who’s Who Mystery Classmate
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Create Your Own Quiz Questions
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Opinion / Argument
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Opinion Essay: My Book Review (Primary)
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Opinion/Argument Essay: Book of the Year (K-2, 3-8)
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Taking a Stand Argument Essay:
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(argument essay) (6-12)
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Argument Essay: Taking a Stand/For Career and Technical School Students
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You Be the Judge: Evaluating an Answer
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Vocabulary
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Mystery Word Riddles Primary Grades 3-12
Ten Percent Summary
A Collins favorite! Improve close reading, comprehension, and content knowledge with this Go-To assignment for all subject areas.​
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​Summary Writing as a Critical School Improvement Strategy
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Focus Sheet: S “T” A r t
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Focus Sheet: S “T” A r t (Spanish)
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Focus Sheet: S “T” A r t for Notetaking
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Focus Sheet: s “T” A r t (elementary)
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Focus Sheet: (primary)
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Teacher’s Guide to Creating the Ten Percent Summary
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Student’s Guide to Creating the Ten Percent Summary
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Ten Percent Summary Assignment
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Ten Percent Summary Student Model
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Ten Percent Summary Student Model for Editing
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Annotated List of Resources for Ten Percent Summary Articles
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“Summarize to Get the Gist” by John Collins from Educational Leadership
Text-Dependent Response
A critical skill and key part of most state assessments. Use Collins resources to improve student responses​
Compare and Contrast
An assignment that can be used over and over again made even better with our easy-to-use graphic organizer.
Argument and
Opinion Writing
Help students craft evidence-based essays with these tips, graphic organizers, and lesson plans.​
H E L P S Focus Sheet Explanation for Students
​​H E L P S Focus Sheet
H E L P E R Focus Sheet (Elementary)
Opinion, Persuasive, Argument Writing: What's the Difference?
Scaffolded Argument Essay
Scaffolded Opinion Essay
Claim Template
Claim/Counterclaim Template
Opinion Statement Template
Opinion/Argument Assignments
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Opinion Essay: My Book Review
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Opinion/Argument Essay: Book of the Year
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Argument Essay: Taking a Stand
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Argument Essay: Taking a Stand/For Career and Technical School Students