Episode 331 - Writing Is Complex: The Hidden Skills Students Need to Become Strong Writers with Melanie Meehan and Maggie Beattie Roberts

Writing is complex. When students struggle to get their ideas onto paper, the challenge may go deeper than simply needing more writing practice.

In this episode, Emily is joined by literacy experts and authors Melanie Meehan and Maggie Beattie Roberts to explore the hidden skills that help students become strong writers. They unpack how oral language, transcription, executive functioning, and working memory all impact students’ ability to write.

In this episode, we talk about:

  • The connection between reading and writing.
  • How oral language and verbal rehearsal support student writers.
  • Why handwriting, spelling, and other transcription skills still matter in upper elementary.
  • How cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control, and working memory show up during writing.
  • How to identify where a student is getting stuck.
  • Why short, intentional practice helps writing skills become more automatic.


Writing asks students to juggle a lot at once. This conversation will help you better understand what might be happening beneath the surface and identify the support your students need to become stronger, more confident writers.


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