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Advanced Modules
- The Write Tools for Level 1 Writers
- The Write Tools for Multiparagraph Writing, Writing to a Prompt and Compare/Contrast Essays
- The Write Tools for Active Reading Strategies, Including Response to Literature
- The Write Tools for Imaginative Narrative Writing
- The Write Tools for Personal Narrative Writing
- The Write Tools for Persuasive Writing
- The Write Tools for Research and Report Writing
- The Write Tools for Descriptive Writing
The Write Tools for Level 1 Writers
This one-day workshop is designed as a follow-up to the two-day basic training, The Write Tools 101. It has been specifically designed for K-2 teachers and other teachers who work with Level 1 students, (often special education students and English-language learners who need more fundamental instruction.)
This specialized workshop includes:
- Adaptations of all strategies presented in the introductory training
- Student pages designed for Level 1 learners
- Hands-on, kinesthetic approaches to the strategies
- Using the strategies with oral production
- Numerous student samples
Although the needs of Level 1 writers are certainly addressed in the two-day basic workshop, this module zeros in on the needs of these particular students.
The Write Tools for Multiparagraph Writing, Writing to a Prompt, and Compare/Contrast Essays
This one-day workshop is designed to follow The Write Tools 101. Included in this workshop are:
- Prewriting organizers for multiparagraph essays
- Basic introductory/thesis paragraphs
- Expanded introductory/thesis paragraphs
- Writing to a prompt
- Preparation for standardized tests
- Compare/contrast paragraphs and essays
In this seminar, we expand on the multiparagraph strategies introduced in the basic training. Teachers learn specific methods for helping students plan and organize a well-constructed essay, including the all-important introductory/thesis paragraph.
We then move on to specific skills students need to read and interpret prompts when taking high-stakes writing assessments. Critical analysis of the prompt language, as well as, the incorporation of key words from the prompt into the thesis paragraph, are two of the critical skills emphasized in this module.
In addition, we apply what we’ve learned to the compare/contrast paragraph and essay. We introduce a variety of mini-lessons, reading materials, and models for helping students become proficient with this genre that strengthens higher-level thinking skills.
The Write Tools for Active Reading Strategies, Including Response to Literature
Students are frequently asked to prove their learning by writing about the informational text they are reading. Because grade-level text is difficult for some students, the writing assignments sometimes feel like an impossible challenge.
In this one-day workshop, we introduce and practice a variety of active reading strategies that help students learn to read more carefully and interact with the information they are reading. This leads to improved reading comprehension, which in turn makes writing to prove learning suddenly achievable. This workshop includes:
- Responding to reading
- Highlighting text
- Summary writing
- Note-taking strategies
- Annotating text
- Writing a response to literature
- Nonfiction text discussions
This module can focus on fiction, with all strategies leading to response to literature. Another option is to gear the day to content-area reading, with nonfiction text discussions as the culminating activity. If you want to focus on both fiction and nonfiction, this module can be presented as a two-day workshop.
The Write Tools for Imaginative Narrative Writing
Writing imaginative stories is the focus of this one-day workshop. Many states ask students to write “a story” as part of a state assessment. Though this initially may seem to be a developmentally appropriate task, quite a few skills must be taught before most students can create an interesting, easy-to-follow story.
We look at the common language necessary to help students learn to plan and write an imaginative story. The workshop emphasizes the essential elements of fiction necessary to develop a story that is fun to write and enjoyable to read.
This training includes:
- Identifying distinguishing features of imaginative narratives
- Development of characters
- Use of prewriting organizers
- Methods for beginning a story
- How to move a story along
- Endings for stories
- Writing dialogue
The Write Tools for Personal Narrative Writing
In this workshop, we focus on writing that helps students tell the important stories from their own lives. Many of the prompts on external assessments ask for a personal narrative. This workshop covers:
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Essential attributes of a personal narrative
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Reading/analyzing personal narratives
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Planning a personal narrative
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Writing a strong introduction
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Telling your “story” (autobiographical incident)
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Reflecting on the significance of the event
During the workshop, participants plan and draft a personal narrative to use as a writing demonstration for students. After the workshop, you will feel comfortable teaching this important genre to students.
The Write Tools for Persuasive Writing
The genre of persuasive writing frequently appears on writing assessments, and is embedded in state standards at various grade levels. Students are natural-born persuaders, yet don’t realize how easy it is to combine their persuasive skills with what they already know about expository writing. Geared for grades 3–9 (though many K-2 teachers attend to get the “big picture”), this workshop provides:
- An overview of persuasive writing—what it is and isn’t
- Mini-lessons to help students understand the attributes of persuasive writing
- Analysis of the types of arguments presented in persuasive text
- Critical reading of persuasive text
- Planning a persuasive paper
- Practice with persuasive prompts
The Write Tools for Research and Report Writing
The Write Tools for Research and Report Writing provides teachers with the necessary tools to complete a strong research paper. During our training we will discuss topic selection, selecting sources, the note-taking process, organizing and planning the paper, citing sources (MLA), and constructing a works cited page. This proven process will result in outstanding papers even if it’s students’ first experience. This module is a follow-up to TWT 101, and prior experience with the multi-paragraph module is also helpful. The training is mostly geared for grades 3-12, but some primary strategies are discussed briefly.
The Write Tools for Descriptive Writing
The Write Tools for Descriptive Writing provides teachers the necessary tools to improve word choice and integrate strong description in all types of writing. During our day together we will look at the characteristics of descriptive writing, teaching figurative language through poetry, improving vocabulary, writing R.A.F.T.s, and improving sensory details in writing. We will also look at a variety of graphic organizers to address prompts that call specifically for strong description. This module is excellent for all ages as a follow-up to TWT 101.