What is Writing Matters? Writing program for upper elementary and middle school. Comprehensive curriculum resources and professional development. Features –Aligned with best practice (“Writing Next”) –Emphasizes authentic tasks, active learning and outcomes –Integrates assessment –Meets ELA standards –Grade modification* Technology: why, what, how

What is Writing Matters? Writing program based in writer’s workshop/process writing. Provides comprehensive curriculum resources and professional development. Emphasizes... –Authentic tasks, active learning and student outcomes –NYS ELA standards –Best instructional practice (“Writing Next”) 21 st Century Teaching and Learning: why, what, how

Unpack the Pedagogy: Writing as a Process –Multi-step –Student choice –Powerful models* –Time for writing –Ongoing assessment and differentiation –Reading – writing connection

Principals’ Expectations Associated with Writing Matters Boost student writing skills Ideas, organization, language use, conventions, writer’s behavior Boost teacher pedagogical skills Apply writing pedagogy, workshop model, ongoing assessment Principal’s Perspective – what vehicles are in place for monitoring progress? How will I know if the program is effective?

Genre Studies Mastering the Essentials Writing Memoir Response to Literature Writing Poetry Writing Editorials Writing Feature Articles Writing Short Fiction

Grade Modification/Differentiation in Writing Matters Beginner, Intermediate and Experienced modifications...  Mentor texts  Instructional Strategies (skills addressed, student resources)  Assessments/Outcomes (rubrics)  Technology Use

Visit the Online Classroom Teacher resources –Lessons –Handouts –Prof. P’s Office –Submitted work –Assessments Student resources –Animations –Notebooks –Handouts –Activities

Monitoring Student Progress/Program Assessment Tools From Formative... Baseline Assessment: 6 th, 7 th, 8 th Grade Teacher’s Checklist and Checkpoints Conferring and Conferring Logs Looking into classrooms Looking at student work

Monitoring Student Progress/Program Assessment Tools To Summative... Measure student outcomes with... Rubrics (for each unit) End-of-Year Assessment WM Assessment Tracker ELA data Think about DYO/Interim Assessment

Observing the Program in Action Teachers: Brief targeted tech- supported mini lesson (Plan for Best Practice) Students: Independent sustained genre-based writing using technology (look at the work) Monitoring of student progress: Online classroom activities Conferring (see logs) Teacher’s checklist