Strengthen your instruction this summerExplore Workshops

Teaching Writing Skills All Year Long Grades K-2

Online workshop overview:

After you've devised a plan to launch your writer's workshop during the first weeks of school, the next step is to look ahead toward the rest of the year. This course is designed to guide K-2 teachers through the planning of a yearlong writing curriculum. This includes determining mini-lesson instruction, identifying frequent assignments, and communicating assessment feedback all within the three major types or writing — opinion/persuasive/argumentative, informative/expository, and narrative.

The video content for this workshop is exactly the same as the "Teaching Writing Skills All Year Long: Grades 3-12" workshop, with one exception. When you enroll in this workshop, you receive a complimentary digital copy of Kristina's best-selling book, Launching the Writer's Workshop, Grades K-2.
   

HOW TO GET STARTED

 
Step 1

CHOOSE
a Viewing Option

Pick between "Verified" and "Flexible" viewing options.
Step 2

LEARN
Strategies that Work

Watch the on-demand videos at your own pace.
Step 3

IMPACT
Every Student

Implement what you learned right away!
 

CHOOSE A VIEWING OPTION

 

Topics covered:

  • Define a "writing unit": its length, its focuses, and its final product(s).
  • Discover how often to "publish" a final draft and how frequently students should produce first drafts.
  • Identify procedures for selecting priority writing standards to target within each writing unit.
  • Learn strategies for teaching a writing skill over multiple days to deepen student understanding and gradually release responsibility to the students.
  • Learn effective ways to integrate convention/grammar skills throughout the year.
  • Learn how to incorporate mentor text examples and kid-friendly rubrics within a unit.
  • Receive suggestions for grading student writing and assessing students' understanding of a genre.


When you complete the workshop, you'll be able to:

  • Organize grade-level writing standards and grammar skills to be taught within any writing unit.
  • Embed the 6 Traits of Writing throughout the school year as you spiral through specific skills that are unique to each trait.
  • Speed up or slow down a unit to meet the needs of your writers.
  • Target isolated skills within intermittent "maintenance" mini-lessons throughout the year.
  • Assess mastery of writing skills via grades or standards-based reporting.
  • Teach writing with confidence and intentionality.
 
Top questions teachers ask about teaching writing:
  • How do I find time in my daily schedule for writing?
  • How does a MS/HS teacher fit reading, writing, and grammar all into one class period?
  • How do I integrate my writing standards within my writing units?
  • How do I decide which skills I need to teach for each unit?
  • How many times should students write in the same genre?
  • How does grammar instruction fit into the writer's workshop?
  • How often should I offer free-choice versus prompted writing?
  • How can I grade/assess their writing more efficiently?
Learn the answers to these questions and many more!
 

What teachers are saying about this workshop:

“I was so excited to watch Kristina's online workshop from the convenience of my own home and still feel like I was at a live conference. She was motivating, engaging, and I finished the workshop with a better understanding of how to go from launching the writer's workshop to developing a yearlong plan.”
Leslie Holder, teacher at Lawton Elementary School, Lawton, MI

"Everything presented has been applicable to my kindergarten classroom, and I can already feel my confidence as a writing teacher growing! It makes so much sense!"
Meredith Wolff, teacher at Camden Primary School, Camden, OH

“I can’t wait to organize my units & utilize the yearlong calendar. What a terrific resource.”
Laura Florek, teacher at James B. Eads Elementary School, Munster, IN

"For the first time ever, I'm excited about writing in my classroom. After this training, I have tools I need to be more effective so that my students can be more successful."
Miranda Yonts, teacher at North Washington Elementary School, Springfield, KY

“This is a real-world writing workshop that I can use tomorrow and also plan for next year!”
Kelly Minks, data & curriculum coach at Logansport Community School Corporation, Logansport, IN

"I really appreciate you addressing the troubleshooting ideas. Instead of teachers giving up and saying, 'That won't work,' you provided solutions to potential roadblocks. I am leaving this professional development energized and better prepared to help the teachers in our school system with their writing instruction. Thank you so much for providing phenomenal, workable resources! I loved every minute."
Dr. Melanie Park, Huntington University Assistant Professor and Writing Coach for Huntington County Community School Corporation, 2012 Teacher of the Year, Huntington, IN
 
 
 

Frequently asked questions:

Once I register, when does my access start?

Once I register, when does my access start?

Immediately! Once you register and submit payment, you will be redirected to the workshop page which contains all the videos included in your workshop enrollment.
How long do I have access to the workshop?

How long do I have access to the workshop?

Once you enroll in the online workshop, you can access the content for 30 days. The self-paced format means you determine how fast or slow you move through the workshop.

Your workshop registration also comes with lifetime access to exclusive digital resources in the "Secret Site" that accompanies this workshop. Here you'll find classroom-ready worksheets and blackline masters, along with videos and articles to take your learning further. Teachers love the way the "Secret Site" helps them implement what they learn in the workshop. 

Online workshops secret site

Can I share my workshop with colleagues?

Can I share my workshop with colleagues?

Sorry, online workshop sharing is not allowed. Our Terms of Use specify that one registration fee allows access for just one person. However, we are happy to offer group discounts. Give us a call at (888) 376-0448 to get the details. 
 
Can I get continuing education credits?

Can I get continuing education credits?

Most likely! With prior approval from your school district, participants may receive credit for up to 5 hours of professional development for each workshop. A Certificate of Completion is provided to participants when they complete all aspects of the workshop. For possible Illinois-approved credit, please contact our office.

Note: A Certificate of Completion is only provided when you complete the Verified View option for this workshop. 
Can I earn graduate-level credit for Teaching Writing Skills All Year Long: Grades K-2?

Can I earn graduate-level credit?

Graduate-level credit for Teaching Writing Skills All Year Long: Grades K-2
Thanks to a partnership with the University of the Pacific, educators who enroll in a webAcademy workshop can earn 1, 2, or 3 graduate-level credits. (To earn graduate-level credit, participants must select the "Verified View" enrollment option. Graduate-level credit cost is separate from registration fees. Credits are $62 each.)

Graduate-level credits offered through the University of the Pacific are non-degree credits which are designed for professional certification renewals and salary step increases. To learn more, contact us by email or call (888) 376-0448.
What if I am unhappy with the workshop?

What if I am unhappy with the workshop?

We would never want you to be unhappy! That’s why every online workshop comes with a 100% money back guarantee. We are convinced the simple and effective strategies will transform the way you teach so we stand behind this workshop with full confidence. If you aren’t satisfied, contact me within the first ten days of your purchase, and I will give you a refund immediately. There are no additional forms to fill out, and there will be no delay. Just call (888) 376-0448 and ask for Brady or email me directly. We believe so strongly in this online workshop that we give you our personal promise of a speedy, hassle-free, no-questions-asked, total and complete refund.


Brady Smekens
Director of Professional Development
Smekens Education Solutions, Inc.
 
 

READY TO GET STARTED?

Register Now
 

Immediate access: $140

 

Discounts available!

  • Teams of 3+: Save $14 per person.
  • Teams of 15+: Call us at (888) 376-0448 for custom pricing.

What's included with your registration?

  • 30-day access to the workshop
  • 5+ hours of dynamic workshop content
  • Digital copy of Launching the Writer's Workshop: K-2 ($28 value!)
  • Lifetime access to classroom-ready digital resources
 
Target Audience
  • K-2 Classroom Teachers
  • Literacy Coaches
  • Literacy Coordinators
  • Title I Teachers/Directors
  • ELL Teachers
  • K-2 Gifted & Talented Teachers
  • Elementary Administrators

Have a question?
Simply fill out the form below.