Welcome! Opening activity: On the post-it note at your table, answer the question: “What one strategy do you implement in the classroom to manage conferences?”

The Chat Room Student Conferencing Professional Growth Day January 18, 2012 Rosemary Richards

The Joys of Writing “Of all the arts, writing should be among the most democratic: all one needs is paper and a pen – and, I would suggest, a teacher or two along the way who works to make the intangible tangible, so every student might know the joy of writing well.” -Nancie Atwell

Outcomes for This Session Learning and Sharing: Importance of peer and Importance of peer and teacher conferences teacher conferences Techniques for managing conferencing in the classroom Techniques for managing conferencing in the classroom Increase our learning by sharing strategies with one another Increase our learning by sharing strategies with one another

The Common Core Common Core Anchor Standard 5 states: With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.

Moving Writing Forward Take out your quick write from this morning about someone who inspired you to be a writer. Take out your quick write from this morning about someone who inspired you to be a writer. Quick write for 1 min and add to your piece (or completely re-write it) of how you instill the love and passion of writing for your students. Quick write for 1 min and add to your piece (or completely re-write it) of how you instill the love and passion of writing for your students.

Why Student Conferencing? Encourages students to think and express thoughts about their writing. Prompts students to set goals and work to achieve them. Assists students in a personal setting, while differentiating instruction for them. - Nancy Atwell, In the Middle (1998)

? What Does a Conference Look Like? The conference gives direct and immediate feedback The conference gives direct and immediate feedback Conferences are often driven by mini- lessons but are a chance for individualized instruction Conferences are often driven by mini- lessons but are a chance for individualized instruction Students are equally in the driver’s seat and take ownership of their writing Students are equally in the driver’s seat and take ownership of their writing

It Starts with YOU! Inspiring the Writing Culture What have been the most powerful strategies you use for building a culture of writing in your classroom?

Building A Writing Culture Instill a love and passion for writing – your excitement for writing will inspire the kids! Share your work, discuss it, let them into your process. Instill a love and passion for writing – your excitement for writing will inspire the kids! Share your work, discuss it, let them into your process. Remind your students that they need to work as hard as you do. “Work hard, Be kind” Remind your students that they need to work as hard as you do. “Work hard, Be kind” Practice, Practice, Practice Practice, Practice, Practice

Managing Your Conferences Tips -Take a “Chat Walk” for the first 20 minutes of the day -Keep your time with a student to 2-3 mins. -Conference throughout the day!-Find little pockets of time to meet -“Focus” Cues- keeping kids on task! Give them 1-2 suggestions to work on -“Track the Chat”-Teacher Clipboard/Post it’s

Share Out: Management What has been the most powerful strategy for managing student conferences in your classroom?

Peer Conferencing Demystify the process by modeling all aspects over time Use the power of a bad example! It’s easier for students, rather than analyzing perfection Consider pairing the writer initially with an ‘ally’ to build comfort and trust Start with compliments to practice critical listening skills Determine the purpose of the activity: recognition v. evaluation, tied to mini lesson Decide on how to ensure accountability for the process

Peer Edit with Perfection: Effective Strategies resources/lesson-plans/peer-edit-with-perfection- 786.html resources/lesson-plans/peer-edit-with-perfection- 786.html Overview: Students are introduced to a three-step strategy for peer editing, providing (1) compliments, (2) suggestions, and (3) corrections in response to a sample of student writing. They practice these steps in a small-group session and share the results with the class. Then they move to individual editing practice guided by a PowerPoint tutorial and accompanying worksheet. This series of practice activities prepares students to engage in constructive peer editing of classmates’ written work on a regular basis.

Student/Teacher Conferences Teacher moves to student or group Classroom atmosphere quiet and productive Teacher’s and students’ voices are no louder than a whisper Conferences are short and focused Begin with a question: “What are you working on? “What have you done so far? “What part of your writing may I help you with?” “What direction are you going with this piece?”

Modeling our Practice Role Play Take out your quick write Take out your quick write Conference with your partner for 3 minutes about the piece of writing. Conference with your partner for 3 minutes about the piece of writing. Reflect on how the process felt as a writer and a teacher. Reflect on how the process felt as a writer and a teacher.

What Should I Remember? Conferences: Conferences: - are the heart of your writing community - encourages relationships to grow - allow students to feel like real writers - are short and simple - gives direct and immediate feedback - Inspire! Share! Support! Evaluate!

Resources Nancie Atwell – Lessons that Change Writers Nancie Atwell – Lessons that Change Writers Regie Routman - Writing Essentials Regie Routman - Writing Essentials urces%5CE01736%5CSlaughter01736Sampl e.pdf urces%5CE01736%5CSlaughter01736Sampl e.pdf urces%5CE01736%5CSlaughter01736Sampl e.pdf urces%5CE01736%5CSlaughter01736Sampl e.pdf /08/30/beginning-procedures/ (video on starting conferencing) /08/30/beginning-procedures/ (video on starting conferencing) /08/30/beginning-procedures/ /08/30/beginning-procedures/ and-language-arts/skill- builder/48884.html?page=1 and-language-arts/skill- builder/48884.html?page=1 and-language-arts/skill- builder/48884.html?page=1 and-language-arts/skill- builder/48884.html?page=1 Carl Anderson- How’s It Going? Carl Anderson- How’s It Going?