Being a Writer

1. Being a Writer

2. Writing Goal “All students will improve their writing skills across the curriculum.” 2006-2007

3. Language Arts Council Established Program Criteria Common Features for consideration of a district-wide Writing Initiative: The program must: • be research-based and user-friendly • incorporate the 6-Traits and ELA GLCEs • have a sequence that is "do-able" • share a common language • be hands-on and incorporate real-world writing • be able to be used throughout the curriculum 2006-2007

4. Evaluation of available programs • Units of Study • Lucy Calkins • Step Up To Writing • Maureen Aulman  et al. • Being a Writer • The Developmental Studies Center • The Academic Workout • Jim Burke and Timothy Rasinski • Teaching the Qualities of Writing • Ralph Fletcher • The Write Source • The Write Source , Houghton Mifflin Company

5. Narrowing the Field • Units of Study • Lucy Calkins • Step Up To Writing • Maureen Aulman  et al. • Being a Writer • The Developmental Studies Center

6. Staff Survey Results • 215 respondents • Split equally between upper and lower elementary • 3 Questions • Choose your top 3 attributes in a comprehensive writing program. • How confident do you feel with the teaching of writing? • How can The Council best support your writing instruction? • Over half of the respondents included an optional comment.

7. The Top 3 Attributes • User-friendly – 73% • ease-of-use with all components included and readily available - "pick-up and go“ • Utilizes consistent language/vocabulary across grade levels – 54% • Consistency of lessons across grade levels and builds upon prior skills • Includes 6 + 1 Traits – 44% • incorporates the usage of Ideas, Organization, Voice, Word Choice, Sentence Fluency, Conventions and Presentation

8. Being a Writer was chosen based on staff input. • November 2007 • Developers: Erik Sharpe (social focus) and Peter Braun (Lucy Calkins) • http://www.devstu.org/being_a_writer/index.html • a yearlong writing program for grades K–5 • combines two decades of research in the areas of writing, motivation, and learning theory

9. Being a Writer • The program has two goals: • to develop the creativity and skills of a writer • to develop the social and ethical values of a responsible person. • uses trade books for genre immersion and author studies. • integrates writing instruction with regular community-building elements and guided partner work that develops in students a sense of autonomy, belonging, and competence. • develops writing stamina through the Writer’s Workshop

10. Being a Writer • K-2 • Sequential throughout the year • 3-5 • Sequential at beginning of the year; genre choice afterwards • Correlates with state requirements • Can be paired with other training that has occurred at buildings

11. Timeline Winter 2007-2008        • Evaluate and choose pilot resource • Acquire funding for pilot Spring 2008 • Establish committed volunteer pilot group.  • Members receive resources and training during May 19th in-service. • K-2 am • 3-5 pm

12. Timeline Fall/Winter 2008 -2009 • Pilot during First and Second Trimester. • Pilot group meets to evaluate and report 3 times (Fall, Winter, Spring) school year. • Suggestions are made regarding program adoption Winter 2009 • Curriculum Proposal

13. Tentative Implementation Timeline Fall 2009 • District-wide adoption of Writing Program K-5 • Begin evaluation of Middle School writing program • consistent with elementary program

14. Elementary Pilot Participants • Pilot Group: • 28 CVS participants • 4-5 teachers from each grade level across district • 2-3 teachers from each school • 1 lower elementary – 1 upper elementary • 2 Special Education teachers • 1 “split” class • Balanced and diverse group