Project Topeka ResourcesFrom 2020-2022, Digital Promise partnered with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on Project Topeka. Project Topeka was started as a result of their research with teachers into the challenges of teaching writing. Project Topeka’s website was a pilot for a multifaceted support program for teaching argumentative writing that brought together cutting edge tools and high quality instructional resources from industry leaders.
While this research pilot has ended, these pages share the teaching resources developed for the pilot. The resources include lesson plans and supplementary materials to instruct students on writing argumentative essays and student-centric prompts with sources students can use to build their arguments. These resources are free to use by teachers and students in argumentative writing instruction.
Finding resources informed by the latest research and best practices can be tough. Topeka puts them at your fingertips, with lesson plans and more for three main areas:
1. Pre-writing: Show students how to lay the groundwork.
2. Writing: Jumpstart their capabilities by teaching five critical skills.
3. Revision: Hone specific skills with focused practice.
Show students how to lay the groundwork.
Effective writing starts with knowing where you’re going. Show students how close reading, annotating, and organizing map they journey ahead.
Jumpstart their capabilities by teaching four critical skills
For students new to argumentative writing, or for those who need a refresher, this comprehensive unit covers it all.
In this five-lesson unit, students and teacher will uncover the process and vocabulary for argumentative writing. This comprehensive unit will develop critical skills including how to build strong claims, identify good evidence to support arguments, organize essays for effective argument, and use appropriate writing style based on audience.
Hone specific skills with focused practice.
Once you know their trouble spots, help them practice accordingly in one of four essential areas.
Provide tools to support students through the writing process.
Students can also access these resources directly from the student homepage in their Topeka account.
Here you can find resources to scaffold student understanding of the writing process. A writing process tracker will help them to track where they are in the writing process. Students will also be able to use support to evaluate evidence. Student also have many resources for revision, including explicit revision strategies, a proofreading checklist and more!
Get support for your writing instruction.
Topeka has a number of resources to support you in your argumentative writing instruction.
Use our getting started and pacing guides to get started with Topeka. Then use our feedback bank and conferencing guide to make the most of the time Topeka helps you to carve out.
