While the School District of Philadelphia requires that teachers use the core curriculum during a specified language arts period of every day, writing happens in MD’s classroom throughout the day and in different forms. Following the curriculum as well as district frameworks and state standards, a variety of writing genres are required. Writing throughout the day also necessitates the use of varied types of writing. Using explicit instruction as well as writing in context, MD supports her students’ writing development in a variety of ways that bridge their individual needs with the mandates of the required curriculum. Included here is a sampling of varied ways in which writing is used and taught in MD’s classroom.