Description:

In this three-hour interactive session, K–5 educators experience the writing process from a student’s perspective through a hands-on simulation. As participants think, create, revise, perfect, and share their work, the stages of the writing process become concrete and meaningful, providing an anchor experience teachers can replicate with students and reference throughout the year.

After grounding teachers in the writing process, the session shifts to a focus on the traits of writing, helping teachers understand what they are, why they matter, and how to teach them through engaging, memorable mini-lessons. Participants explore practical strategies for guiding students through each stage of the writing process, managing materials and routines, and using mentor texts to strengthen the reading-writing connection. Teachers will leave engaged and motivated to implement these lessons, with strategies that lead to sustained growth in student writing!

Subject Area: English Language Arts (ELA)

Delivery Format: In-Person

Target Audience: Classroom Teachers, Instructional Coaches, School Administrators

Duration: Half-Day (3 hours)

Facilitators:

Grade Level: Elementary

Learning Intentions:

• Experience the writing process through a hands-on, student-centered simulation
• Identify how each stage of the writing process improves writing quality
• Implement concrete strategies for guiding students through each stage
• Apply classroom structures and tools that support the writing process
• Explore the traits of writing and their role in developing stronger writers
• Design engaging, memorable mini-lessons that teach writing traits and support revision
• Connect writing instruction to mentor texts and reading instruction

Success Criteria:

• I can explain each stage of the writing process using a concrete, student-friendly model.
• I can facilitate a hands-on writing process simulation with my students.
• I can implement classroom routines and structures that support each stage of the writing process.
• I can use shared language and anchor experiences to help students revise with purpose.
• I can teach the traits of writing through engaging, hands-on mini-lessons.
• I can integrate mentor texts to reinforce writing traits and effective writing strategies.

Key Topics Covered:

• Explicit Writing Instruction
• Student Engagement in Writing
• Writing Process
• Traits of Writing
• Mini-lessons
• K–5 Literacy Instruction

Expected Impact:

The expected impact on instructional practice includes increasing teacher confidence and consistency in teaching writing and promoting the use of concrete, hands-on strategies that engage students in the writing process. Regarding student learning, the session is expected to strengthen student revision skills and overall writing quality, improve student understanding of the writing process and writing traits, and increase student engagement, independence, and motivation in writing. Finally, the expected impact on school or district culture involves establishing a common language and approach to writing instruction across grade levels, aligning reading and writing instruction to reinforce literacy development, and fostering a culture of high-quality writing instruction that is engaging and student-centered.

Testimonials:

Thank you for providing Professional Learning in Writing to the XXXX staff this past Monday. Focusing on the areas of making writing concrete, comparing seeds versus prompts, and offering specific lesson ideas utilizing Traits of Writing was the perfect next step for our staff. Your passion for writing as well as your professional delivery and hands-on approach resulted in a powerful and positive impact. Many of your writing strategies have already been implemented throughout the school. We’ve seen your ideas replicated in whole group lessons, guided writing activities, and during small group instruction. ~Principal

That was one of the best PDs I have ever attended. I actually walked away with so much information that I am going to start using today with my kids! Thank you so much!!! ~Teacher