Being a Writer

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

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

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

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

Staff Survey Results 215 respondents 3 Questions 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.

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

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

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

Being a Writer K-2 3-5 Correlates with state requirements 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

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

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

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

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