Writer's Advantage

A question about new teacher training for WA on August 29th:

This is just for new teachers, right? Or is it also for those who want a refresher?

Julie M.

I'm hoping to send a co-teacher with each of my new teachers to the training. I've chosen the teachers in each grade level who were most reluctant to try WA last year. They will join the new teachers as a "mentor-friend, but an underlying agenda is to get some training for these teachers who are lacking self-confidence.

I think that if the teachers are willing to give up a half-day to get this training, then we should be open to including them...although I'm not opening up the training to everyone in the building. What do you all think? Should the training be strictly for new teachers or are you bringing in some veterans?

Paula K.

Training Tips:

The rituals and routines set the stage for learning to happen in a WA classroom.  Sitting beside a teacher and discussing the rituals and routines is the first step for success.  I would use the list of typical rituals found on page 13 of the monograph.  I think that it would be useful to have a table prepared with boxes to have the teacher "think through" the rituals that they already have in place and to see which ones they may need to work on.  I have attached one that I just made.   Theresa M. Bartalo

Rituals and Routines Think About.xls 

Concerns:

 One of the most powerful aspects of Writers Advantage is the idea of "rituals and routines."  How do you coach teachers to developing effective "rituals and routines"?  What are some "look-fors" for rituals and routines in the classrooms?

Look-fors 

1. Class Structure:  Opening, Work Period, Closing
2. The Writing Process:  Planning, Drafting, Response groups, Revising, Editing, Polishing/Publishing
3. Artifacts:  Standards, Collections, Folders, Rubrics, Charts & Posters

I think we should coach by talking with teachers about what they are doing and how it is going.  Using the list (with a few more details) from above, teachers can see what elements of WW they are using and what they are not.  They can dialogue with each other about where they are and where they want to go. 

-Jan Schneider

Most of my teachers who have been formally trained with WA are implementing it and feeling their way through the process (part of learning anything).  I have visited all those classrooms and we have discussed how it is going during our data meetings. Some are further along than others.  Those who have classroom management problems are having the most difficulty.  Those who have an "orator" problem, are having problems keeping mini lessons mini. I am in the process of trying to find time, where there is no time, to train the teachers who have not been trained. So far we have come to AM time.  The minimum amount of time will be 10 times for the 10 monographs, and that will still not be enough.  I will also take over their classes so they can visit their "trained" teammate's classroom to see it in action. I will offer to model or co-teach as we hit each topic.               Bonnie Ward  

Vince:  Nice "look fors" Jan!  Bonnie, you're right about finding the time to talk about WA -- finding time in such things as data days to provide some coaching/feedback is a good idea.  Theresa, you get a gold star in WIKI usage by adding the "think about" document!

Summer Academy:

Use this space to brainstorm ideas for a summer Academy for Writers Advantage.