What is Writing Matters?

• Writing program for upper elementary and middle school.

• Comprehensive curriculum resources and professional development.

• Features– Aligned with best practice

(“Writing Next”)– Emphasizes authentic tasks,

active learning and outcomes– Integrates assessment – Meets ELA standards– Grade modification*

• Technology: why, what, how

What is Writing Matters?

• Writing program based in writer’s workshop/process writing. Provides comprehensive curriculum resources and professional development.

• Emphasizes...– Authentic tasks, active learning

and student outcomes– NYS ELA standards– Best instructional practice

(“Writing Next”)

• 21st Century Teaching and Learning: why, what, how

Unpack the Pedagogy:

Writing as a Process

– Multi-step

– Student choice

– Powerful models*

– Time for writing

– Ongoing assessment and differentiation

– Reading – writing connection

Principals’ Expectations Associated with Writing Matters

• Boost student writing skillsIdeas, organization, language use, conventions, writer’s behavior

• Boost teacher pedagogical skillsApply writing pedagogy, workshop model, ongoing assessment

• Principal’s Perspective – what vehicles are in place for monitoring progress? How will I know if the program is effective?

Genre Studies

• Mastering the Essentials

• Writing Memoir

• Response to Literature

• Writing Poetry

• Writing Editorials

• Writing Feature Articles

• Writing Short Fiction

Grade Modification/Differentiation in Writing Matters

• Beginner, Intermediate and Experienced modifications...

Mentor texts

Instructional Strategies (skills addressed, student resources)

Assessments/Outcomes (rubrics)

Technology Use

Visit the Online Classroom

• Teacher resources– Lessons– Handouts– Prof. P’s Office– Submitted work– Assessments

• Student resources– Animations– Notebooks– Handouts– Activities

Monitoring Student Progress/Program Assessment Tools

From Formative...

Baseline Assessment: 6th, 7th, 8th Grade

Teacher’s Checklist and Checkpoints

Conferring and Conferring Logs

Looking into classrooms

Looking at student work

Monitoring Student Progress/Program Assessment Tools

To Summative...

Measure student outcomes with...

Rubrics (for each unit)

End-of-Year Assessment

WM Assessment Tracker

ELA data

Think about DYO/Interim Assessment

Observing the Program in Action

• Teachers: Brief targeted tech-supported mini lesson(Plan for Best Practice)

• Students: Independent sustained genre-based writing using technology (look at the work)

• Monitoring of student progress: • Online classroom activities• Conferring (see logs)• Teacher’s checklist