Developing Thoughtful Writers
Philadelphia Marriott West
West Conshohocken, PA
Wednesday, May 9, 2018
Deep Study of Craft
During this part of the workshop, teachers will analyze mentor texts to name and notice the craft moves that each mentor author made in order to help students read like writers and, in turn, learn from many writers in the room. This workshop will use mentor text across different genres and text types and teachers will focus on discussing a variety of craft techniques (e.g. text structure, genre features, the author’s use of conventions, the language techniques the author employed, and how those techniques connect to the author’s purpose and voice). Teachers will also learn how to teach both in whole group and small group how to encourage students to emulate from mentor authors in order to enhance their writing pieces.
Constructed and Extended Response Writing
This part of the workshop will help teachers gain a deeper understanding of these specific types of writing, and the importance of explicit instruction on how to prepare a focused, developed and clear evidence based response. Teachers will also learn how to distinguish between a Constructed Response and a Reader's Response, by having students experience both during workshop time. Additional discussion will focus on how the Reader’s Notebook can serve as a strong tool to support the development of students as they write about their reading.
Teachers As Writers
Teachers will also experience a thread throughout the day titled Teachers as Writers, taking them through the stages of the writing process and sharing their thoughts and ideas with colleagues and new educators they have met across the day.
Presenters and Sessions:
Pat Pollack: Grades K-3
Sandi Szczepanski: Grades 4-8