1.+About+the+AGSD+Writing+System

About the AGSD Writing System...

The AGSD Writing System originally began as the Guthridge Writing Method - a thinking/writing method developed by George Guthridge when he was preparing his Siberian-Yupik students for the national Future Problem Solving Bowl. The key ingredient in this method is a specially constructed sentence called an "enthymeme". The enthymeme is a cause and effect statement, which is meant to draw important and meaningful connections between interesting ideas. The enthymeme promotes not only good writing, but is also a valuable critical thinking and learning process for students. The enthymeme is a flexible thinking and writing tool that can be utilized in many different ways in any classroom. It is a method which also incorporates and relies on the 6 Traits of Writing.

AGSD was the first district to ever pilot the teaching of this method for writing, back in 2000. One year later, we were convinced–in the classrooms that had piloted the program with fidelity, our state test scores in writing showed a dramatic increase! Since that time, AGSD has made a constant effort to ensure that as many teachers as possible have been trained in this method, by taking a class from George himself, orientations at our new teacher inservices, or workshop trainings.

Since the inception of the program, it has evolved even further to fit the particular needs of our students here. Teachers who have been using the method for years have shaped and expanded the program based on their own teaching experiences with the program in class. As a result, teachers within AGSD have significantly expanded the program over time in a way that they know works for their students.

These are the time tested materials we have included, and will continue to include on this site.