The Writer's Toolbox has seen noticeable improvement rates in writing in primary and secondary environments, and at Christ the King we are excited to be beginning our Writer’s Toolbox journey.

Writer's Toolbox was developed by Dr Ian Hunter. The system is based on the explicit teaching of specific writing skills taught year-by-year from Year 1 to Year 13. Based on writing instruction research from the past 150 years, the Hunter Writing System teaches students HOW to write—using a proven approach of sentence styles, paragraph models, and writing rules.

The whole-school method for teaching writing focuses on the belief that every student can be taught to write well. 

The programme includes an online tool that is designed to fully support the teaching of writing, create independent learners and give timely feedback and feedforward.  

Writer’s Toolbox

• Students receive writing assistance in a form that meets their learning requirements. 
• Video and audio ensure that multiple learning styles are addressed.
• Students with particular learning needs can be directed toward built-in video instruction, freeing classroom teachers to work on other areas.
• Differentiated writing tools on the site ensure that both English Language Learners, as well as advanced writers, are supported.
• Auto-graded quizzes identify areas of student writing strength and weakness, allowing teachers to direct their instruction.
• Student work can also be printed, emailed, or exported with batch printing and emailing for marking. 
• Teachers are supported through access to interactive scaffolding devices on the website that help students in composition and train them in academic writing across all subject areas.
• Printable activities support traditional pen-paper classroom methods.

In 2024 Staff will be attending Professional Development focusing on Sentence Types, the Sentence Train, Expansion, and Paragraph Styles. 

The Writer's Toolbox provides teachers with a clear framework and pathway to help ensure success in literacy for all students. We believe our students will enjoy using this resource as it will empower them with the skill set to be confident writers.

As a school we are very excited to be taking part in this professional learning over the next three years, and we look forward to sharing this journey with our school community throughout the year.