The problem isn’t a lack of ideas—it’s how to organize them.
We use three simple colors to help students organize their ideas on the page so they know where to begin, what to do next, and how their ideas fit together.
“We tried IEW, EIW, Brave Writer, Writeshop, Step Up to Writing, and Writing Revolution. None of them worked for us, but The Baran Method did.”
— Jessica Paul
COMING AUGUST 2026: The Baran Method Language Arts Textbook
WE UNDERSTAND THE FRUSTRATION OF TRYING TO TEACH KIDS HOW TO WRITE.
Resistance
My kids hate writing.
They shut down before they begin.
Every assignment turns into a battle.
Blank Page Problem
They stare at the blank page and freeze.
They say, “I don’t know what to write.”
They don’t know how to start.
Lack of Structure
Their writing wanders and never gets to the point.
They go on and on but struggle to say anything clearly.
There’s no beginning, middle, or end.
Overwhelm for Adults
I’m not sure how to teach writing.
Where do I even start?
How do I break writing into manageable steps?
It’s much simpler than you’ve been led to believe.
Step 1
Teach kids how to write a clear sentence.
Step 2
Expand that sentence into a clear, organized paragraph.
Step 3
Gradually expand those paragraphs into longer and more advanced forms of writing—such as essays, speeches, or creative writing.
How do you do this? That’s where The Baran Method comes in.
The Baran Method provides the structure, instruction, and guided practice that make this process manageable for both teachers and students.
Organized Thinking Becomes Organized Writing
The Colors Matter
To help students learn and apply The Baran Method, we use three colors—blue, green, and red.
The colors become place-holders in the brain so students learn how to organize their ideas.
Writing or typing every assignment in blue, green, and red leads to deepened understanding.
WHICH VERSION DOES YOUR BRAIN PREFER?
The following are two versions of the same pieces of unedited student writing.
The first version is in black font. The second version uses blue, green, and red following The Baran Method writing maps.
Each color highlights a different part of the student’s thinking and writing.
When kids see their ideas in color, writing suddenly makes sense—they can spot what’s missing, what connects, and how to make their sentences stronger.
The examples below also show how students often progress from simple writing to more complete and organized paragraphs as they learn to use the colors.
Color turns confusion into clarity and helps students see how successful writing is built.
Why are so many writing programs frustrating?
Most programs start in the wrong place. They focus on one of these:
Templates — rigid formulas and checklists
Copying — imitation and memorization
Creativity-first — emphasizing expression without giving students tools for clear communication
Mechanics first — grammar before ideas
The Baran Method starts somewhere else.
We begin with clear thinking.
Students learn how to understand their ideas, organize them, and communicate them clearly.
Once thinking is clear, then grammar, structure, revision, and word choice become much easier to learn.
Instead of memorizing steps, students build real writing skills they can use in any subject and throughout life.
Kaylinn Morrell
I just wanted to write and let you know I LOVE teaching writing using The Baran Method. I met Greg at a conference last year and his workshops wildly increased my understanding and confidence in how to teach writing more gooder! ;)
Invisible Thinking Made Visible
One connected curriculum. Built to grow with students.
Every student has ideas worth communicating. The Baran Method helps students make those ideas visible by organizing and communicating them clearly.
Student textbook.
Start here.
Every students begins with the textbook.
Student Workbook and Teacher Edition.
Practice with guidance.
Add the Workbook and Teacher Edition to reinforce the method through consistent practice and instructional support.
Language Arts and Grammar.
Continue building on the same thinking process across language arts and grammar without learning a new system each year.
Complete writing curriculum.
Use all four books for the most complete writing experience.
Why the Same Method Works Across Grades 2–12
The Baran Method was designed to grow with students across a wide range of grade levels. While the assignments, readings, and writing expectations become more advanced from grade to grade, the method remains the same, allowing students to build on what they have already learned.
A Practical Writing Solution for Schools
TBM gives schools an effective and affordable solution for teaching writing that creates consistency across grade levels and classrooms.
Whether you choose school-wide implementation or begin with a Pilot Program, The Baran Method is designed to be easy to implement, simple for teachers to use, and practical for schools to adopt.
Use it as a complete language arts and writing solution to build confidence, increase clarity, and improve student outcomes.
Additional Learning Options
In addition to our curriculum, we also provide:
• Live Online Courses
• Self-Paced Video Courses
Sharing success…
Sets up all students for writing success!
Strong writing skills open the door to academic success and the professional world — and The Baran Method makes mastering those skills easier than ever.
This proven, step-by-step method helps students from grades 2 through 12 (and beyond) become confident, capable writers in far less time than traditional approaches. With clear, easy-to-follow instruction, students quickly learn how to organize their thoughts, structure their writing, and express their ideas with clarity and confidence.
Once they’ve learned The Method — and it happens faster than you might think — they can apply it to any writing assignment, in any subject. Best of all, they’ll always have this textbook to refer back to whenever they need guidance.
Micah Raczek, High School Senior
“I wanted to thank you for all your help in teaching me how to write. I am currently taking a dual-enrollment English college class online. Using The Baran Method, I am having no problem writing essays and currently have an ‘A’ in the class. I know I will use this skill in so many ways throughout the rest of my life.”
“The more our teachers and students use it, the more they love it!”
Richard Baumgartner, Principal, Rise Academy
“I have been teaching for over 25 years and have used countless resources over the years, but your approach to writing has truly stood out. It has now become my go-to recommendation for anyone teaching writing or looking to provide extra writing practice.
Over time, my own teaching of writing has naturally evolved into a version of what you offer, but I deeply appreciate the clarity, organization, and effectiveness of your materials.”
Sandra Raeolina