Become a More Skilled Writing Teacher: Nurturing Engaged, Self-Directed Composers of Writing

Engagement is intricately linked with learning in any area, but especially in writing. Fortunately, as educators we control key practices that influence engagement. During our time together, we will explore how key concepts and practices, such as vision, choice of genre, conferring, and oral rehearsal, positively impact engagement for all students.

CONNECT & ENGAGE

It is crucial for educators to align beliefs and actions. This can be difficult given outside pressures and structural constraints, so we will need a strong foundation of beliefs. We will consider how key beliefs around choice, vision, deep understanding, individualization, and rehearsal form a foundation and link to instruction practices.

LEARN

Throughout the two days we will look at teacher competencies that support engaged, self-directed, and highly skilled writers. These competencies include: understanding students as individuals, effectively individualizing learning by conferring with writers, creating vision through immersion into published mentor texts, thinking like a curriculum designer, and supporting student collaboration and communication.

REFLECT & APPLY

Using authentic video and writing samples, and mentor texts, teachers will practice the competencies that will help them grow as writing teachers. We will apply what we’ve learned to design writing experiences that allow for choice of genre, practice conferring into writing and oral composition, and create immersion experiences we can use in our upcoming writing units. Participants will also reflect on their experience to create personalized plans for their growth as a writing teacher.

None.

Save paper and effort where possible!

For your convenience, and to support our efforts in being "green", all handouts/files posted here have been notated with an A, B, C or D indicating the following:

(A) hardcopies needed at workshop
(B) electronic version on laptop is sufficient (for viewing during the workshop)
(C) required reading PRIOR to the workshop
(D) file not needed for workshop itself, but simply material of additional interest/reference