http://estabrook.lexingtonma.org/Curriculum/CollinsWritingProgram.pdf
The Collins Writing Program is used in grades kindergarten through grade 12 across the curriculum. The Collins Program consists of five types of writing. Some assignments are designed simply to help students get their ideas and paper and discover what they already know about a topic. These assignments are called Type One assignments and are evaluated very simply--did the student do it or not? Type One assignments are not designed to be compositions or essays. They are simply ways to guarantee that your son or daughter is thinking about a topic.
Type Two assignments require that students provide correct information in response to a specific question. In Type Two writing, teachers do not judge the quality of the writing--just the content. Type One and Type Two writing assignments are designed to be completed quickly and promote thought.
Type Three and Type Four writing assignments are designed to produce ideas and to develop writing skills. Type Three and Type Four writing assignments use a concept called focus correcting. Focus correcting is based on the belief that student writing improves more quickly when the student works to improve a few writing problems at a time. It is hard for a teacher not to correct every error on the paper, but on Type Three and Type Four assignments, teachers will indicate errors on papers in only one, two, and three areas. These areas will be announced and explained in advance so that students can focus their energies on them. The focus correction area will be listed on the top left-hand side of each Type Three and Type Four writing assignment.
Type Five writing assignments are the most difficult because they require the student to produce publishable work, that is, work that is as free as possible from all errors. In some cases students will do a Type One assignment, edit and revise it so that it becomes a Type Three, and finally polish it so that it becomes a Type Five. This system encourages students to think, take chances, formulate ideas, and polish ideas into finished compositions.
Parents often ask, "How can I help?" Here are a few suggestions: First be aware of the five types of writing assignments and realize that sometimes assignments will not have to be perfect. Be a helper and an encourager, not a critic. Provide a quiet place to write with good lighting and a dictionary. Talk about assignments and help your daughter or son get many ideas. And, if you are asked to review a composition, read it out loud. Ask if it sounds right. You will be surprised at how many of their own mistakes they will be able to hear.
Collins, John J., Ed.D. (1997.) Developing Writing and Thinking Skills Across the Curriculum: A Practical Program for Schools. The Network, Inc., Andover, MA.