Here are just a few of the In-service Workshops we offer.  If your school district is interested in arranging a teacher in-service program, check out our catalog of workshops we offer and contact Dick Heyler or Nanci Werner-Burke.

A Web of Connections: Creating Authentic Writing Experiences with Inquiry-Based WebQuests

 In this Information Age, it is imperative that we teach students how to locate and use Internet resources effectively. WebQuests are "one technique for scaffolding higher order thinking and learning as well as advanced knowledge acquisition in the poorly structured Internet environment" (Ikpeze). This workshop will guide you step-by-step through the process of creating a WebQuest for use in your classroom.


Life Cycles: Young Writers Meet The Darkling Beetle

How are young writers like a darkling beetle? Mealworms develop through their life cycle as young writers develop through the writing process. Science, math, reading, and social studies connect through the writing of journals, books, poetry, and sort stories.


Journals Come Alive: Using Images to Inspire Young Writers

 “We never learned that” is a common student response when introducing new topics during anticipatory sets. This presentation focuses on the use of images as journal prompts to activate students’ prior knowledge. Make your abstract concepts come alive through interesting real world visual examples to inspire your young writers’ minds.


Leaving Behind the Echo:  Looking for Individual Voices

Fostering an interest in writing skills is one of the difficulties that hold back student achievement.  Research demonstrates proper usage of voice is an effective way to build this skill.  Solid voice gives students ownership enhancing personal comprehension.  The utilization of this power will be the focus of this session.

I’m Ready for My Close Up: Looking Through the Lenses of Revision

 “Awkward.” “Unclear.” “Explain”.  How many of us are guilty of writing that on a student’s paper?  This session provides specific, photography-themed strategies to encourage revision at the drafting stage, including expository writing for grades 7-12 across the curriculum.


Across the board: Content area board games winning over the writing process

This session provides opportunity for middle school teachers to introduce board games as a means to incorporate the writing process in content areas.  Board game design is an effective way to assess student learning, provide collaborative writing, and allows students to explore content and establish higher order thinking.


EMWP 3: The Literacy Ladies Expose The Graphic Novel

Three news anchors will take you through the rise and fame of the graphic novel using their morning news broadcast. From reading and writing strategies to wikis, blogs, and podcasts, these ladies will start you off right in this underexposed genre.

Writing like a Scientist

Helping students master the language of science by focusing on robust vocabulary
Creating a word-conscious classroom with a four step program that changes focus from traditional science vocabulary to robust vocabulary will enhance the quality of student writing in the content area.  Direct instruction, word banks, teacher modeling and scaffolded instruction all play integral roles in this program.


Now You're Playing Our Tune! Engaging Students in the Writing Process Through Poetry
 
Vivid language! Precise ideas! Distinct focus! Thoughtful revision! A teacher's dream list for what to find in student writing. Engage your students in these ideals through poetry activities. Poetry, you say!? "Nevermind, moving on..." you think. Open your mind here about the fun and value involved in poetry writing in your writing curriculum, even in the content areas!


Now what do I do with it?

 Practical instruction on embedding technology in the classroom - using wikis, blogs, and discussion boards to facilitate writing to learn.


Picture This: Using Picture Books to Teach Writing

Do we have to write?  What do we have to write about?  How long does it have to be?  If your students demonstrate a similar lackluster attitude toward writing despite being tremendously enthralled and engaged while you read, then this session is for you.  Come find out why picture books matter and various ways to encourage students’ writing through children’s literature.  Discover suggested books for specific concepts and learn how to select appropriate books on your own.  No longer will your students’ enthusiasm quickly wane when you ask them to write.  Crestfallen looks and glum faces will be replaced by bright eyes and gleaming smiles when you say “Time for writing!” =