Children are better able to compose powerful writing when they deeply engaged, have a clear vision for what they are making, and are immersed in a stack of real world texts. Using authentic published pieces of writing, authentic student writing samples and video clips, we will consider strategies supporting student writers, including:
- Honoring approximations and nudging development
- Teaching with a stack of published mentor texts in mini lessons and conferences
- Using choice of genre and topic to maximize engagement
- Conferring with writers by effectively teaching rather than telling, reminding and correcting
- Creating responsive whole group instruction centered on the needs of an individual class of children
Throughout, we will examine the important role of reading like a writer, particularly during immersion in read-aloud mentor texts, to support students in noticing techniques authors use, so that students can try them out in their own writing.
Dinner will be served.
