First grade teachers collected writing samples from their students. The writing samples were administered in the same fashion as the SAI assessments. The teachers then scored the samples using a four-feature rubric. The data reported is the number of students who scored 2 or less on the features of focus, support and organization and less than a 2 on the convention feature. 68% of the total errors in first grade occurred in the areas of support and organization. The first grade teachers did a relation’s diagram to attempt to discover the root cause of two essential questions: Why is the support area so low in first grade? and Why is organization area so low in first grade? The first grade teachers developed an improvement theory from the root cause and effects.

Root Cause:

• We don’t do a graphic organizer for each piece of writing.

Root Effects:

• Students often forget and leave out components (beginning, middle, end).
• Kids don’t elaborate on the support sentences they write.

Improvement Theory:

• As a grade level we will consistently use the "Four Square" writing method for each instructional writing piece (excluding journal writing).
• Our two focus areas will be organization and support.
• We will, also, stress the areas of revising, conferencing with the teacher, using transition words, and reflecting.