Writing Starts in the Brain, Not on the Page

Part One of my S5E24 Schoolutions ⁨conversation uncovers why underdeveloped executive functioning for kids can impact areas like working memory and response inhibition. Melanie Meehan and Maggie Beattie Roberts make foundational writing skills accessible by highlighting how understanding executive function deficits can completely change how we approach literacy education. We discuss how addressing these executive dysfunction challenges can support a child's development into a more confident writer.Discover why writing instruction can't wait any longer in literacy conversations. In this powerful episode, Maggie and Melanie reveal the foundational skills we've been overlooking in writing instruction and how understanding executive functions transforms everything—from that first capital letter to complex compositions.As a special education teacher turned writing coordinator and a national literacy consultant, Maggie and Melanie unpack their groundbreaking book Foundational Skills for Writing: A Brain-Based Guide to Strengthen Executive Functions, Language, and Other Cornerstones for Writing. Learn how eight regions of the brain coordinate when a child picks up a pencil, why handwriting is a gateway to literacy, and how the solar system writing model changes everything we thought we knew about teaching writing.Some episode mentions:➡️Young-Suk Grace Kim➡️Steve Graham➡️The Writing Clinic ➡️Melanie's other books➡️Two Writing Teachers ➡️Maggie's books: DIY Literacy & Unboxing the CurriculumStay tuned for Part Two on Friday, where we dive into practical strategies you can use tomorrow!Chapters0:00 - Introduction: The Hidden Challenge in Writing Instruction1:00 - Meet Maggie Roberts and Melanie Meehan2:00 - Foundational Skills for Writing: The Book Overview3:00 - Research That Changed Everything5:00 - The Origin Story: A Conference Napkin Conversation7:00 - The Solar System Writing Model Explained10:00 - Brain at Work: Understanding the Writing Brain13:00 - Executive Functions: The Stage Hands of Writing16:00 - Handwriting as a Gateway to Literacy19:00 - The Writing Clinic: Supporting All Writers20:00 - Lightning Round: Myths, Truths, and Strategies24:00 - Coming Up in Part TwoJoin our community of educators committed to cultivating student success, inspired teaching, and creating inclusive classrooms with a pro-kid mindset focused on the whole child. 🎧 New episodes every Monday & Friday with bite-sized Wednesday reel bonus content.📧 Connect: [email protected]🎵 Music: Benjamin WahlDon't forget to🔔SUBSCRIBE for more teaching tips, and 💬SHARE with fellow educators! #schoolutions #forevergettingbetter #WritingInstruction #LiteracyDevelopment #FoundationalSkills When teachers, coaches, administrators, and families grow together, they create schools where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged, supported, and ready to thrive.