First Author
First Author is a comprehensive curriculum that guides educators to teach beginning writing skills, helping ALL students learn to write as a form of expressive communication.
The Only Special Education
Writing Curriculum You Need
Differentiated
Meet the widest range of needs for students with complex learning barriers.
Engaging
Engage every student in the learning process, no matter their learning style or ability.
Purposeful
Drive meaningful progress towards IEP goals and today’s academic standards.
First Author Features
Classroom
Management
Structured classroom time
broken down through mini-
lessons (4x/week), writing time
(4x/week), and Author’s Chair
sharing time (1x/week).
Assessment
Tools
A comprehensive
group of measurement tools
for monitoring writing development, communication,
and behavior.
Accommodation
Strategies
Guides for
instructional supports
for each student including
“writing” tools and
communication methods.
Diverse
Lessons
82 mini-lessons that are designed to repeat with variety keep students engaged.
Alternate
Assessment
Preparation to demonstrate skills using alternate assessments including DLM, STAAR, and NCSC.
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Meet The Author
First Author was developed in partnership with an
interdisciplinary team of specialists, including Dr. Janet Sturm, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-CL, F-ASHA
Dr. Janet Sturm
Janet M. Sturm, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-CL, F-AHSA, Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Central Michigan University. Dr. Sturm's research and clinical interest include developing high-quality differentiated writing instruction for students with developmental disabilities, assistive writing software, formative and summative writing assessments of beginning writers, and tools and strategies to support effective classroom communication. Her work in special education classrooms has spanned more than 30 years.
First Author Pricing
Free Curriculum
Sampler
FREE
Get free access
to samples of
First Author materials
and try them with your
students—no credit
card required.
Full Writing
Curriculum
$699/classroom
Getting started
with First Author
is simple. Just
inquire, implement,
then watch your
students soar.
FAQs
The First Author curriculum aligns to the expectations of the new alternate assessments, so you can feel confident that your students are getting the best writing instruction possible and will be prepared to demonstrate their skills.
Charlotte Danielson’s Framework for Teaching
DLM Essential Elements
NCSC Core Content Connectors
STAAR Alternate 2
Florida English/Language Arts Access Points
