Professional Development
Workshops focus on the application of research based instruction. If you don't see what you're looking for, contact me to discuss custom Professional Development for your building.
**NEW** Write Brained Learning
Learn strategies for engaging students in all content areas. Explore the science of brain-based learning and discover how to deliver instruction that utilizes both hemispheres of the brain. Implementing these strategies will positively result in fun, engaging instruction and stronger brain connections.
**NEW** Write Brained Learning
How do you create and sustain a classroom where students feel capable, contributing, and connected? This full day workshop provides the tools to develop and maintain a strong learning community. This workshop is ideal for a full day training, but may be broken down into specific topics based on your needs. Topics covered include: Brain-Based Learning, Procedures versus Rules, Community Language, Developing Collaborative Skills, Classroom Management: Proactive and Reactive, Creating an Absence of Threat, and Community Circle.
Assessing and Instructing: Feedback that Grows Writers
Participants will examine writing samples and utilize trait-based criteria to assess student work. Collaborative discussions about student writing will develop consistency in scoring and expectations. Teachers will gain practice analyzing student writing to provide students' with trait specific feedback and plan future writing instruction.
Getting Started with Trait Writing
This training is ideal those who are just getting started, or who would like to get started, with the 6+1 traits. This workshop begins with an overview of the traits. Participants will explore how to embed trait language and trait based mini-lessons into the writing process. Teachers will leave with brain-based instructional strategies for introducing the trait language and criteria to students.
Editing and Publishing: Who is Holding the Pencil?
Do you dread the editing step of the writing process? Do you spend hours fixing, or helping students fix, writing conventions, only to have students make the same errors the next time around? In this workshop, teachers will learn classroom procedures and routines that will transfer responsibility for editing to students.
Notice It, Practice It, Try It
Three things must happen to improve student writing and improve writing test scores. Students must notice what good writers do, practice (with guidance) what good writers do, and apply it to their own writing. In this workshop, teachers will discover what daily writing instruction looks with the Notice It, Practice It, Try It framework. Teachers will leave with trait-specific mini-lessons, incorporating Mentor Texts, and strategies for helping students "try" new writing skills and crafts in their writing.
Putting the Pieces Together (Primary)
Kindergarten and First Grade Teachers will learn about the developmental progression of young writers and explore the components of an effective writing program. Strategies for differentiating writing instruction and providing feedback that stretches young writers will be shared.
Write Brained Instruction (Series of 7)
This series of workshops explores the trait language at deeper level. Each training is focused on a specific trait and step in the writing process. Using the framework of Notice It, Practice It, and Try It, participants gain brain-based strategies for helping students learn and apply the traits. This series is ideal for a day-long training, but can be adapted into seven individual sessions.
Write Out Loud
This workshop is for teachers who have ever had a student say "I don't know what to write." Oral rehearsal allows students to actively engage in the writing process before lifting a pencil. This workshop explores the research-proven benefits of oral rehearsal to aid all students, but especially reluctant writers. Teachers will gain instructional activities that introduce students to the oral rehearsal process and learn how to utilize "Write Out Loud" in their daily writing instruction.
Learn to Write, Write to Learn
This training highlights strategies that deepen student thinking across all content areas. Participants explore the difference between process writing and content area writing, as well as examine the rationale for writing across the curriculum. Teachers will gain instructional tools to implement immediately to enhance student learning in all subject areas.