Teaching Writing Skills
All Year Long

ON-DEMAND WORKSHOP

Strategies to improve achievement in writing

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 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.

WATCH

Enroll now and enjoy on-demand
access for a full year.

LEARN

Gain practical, best-practice
strategies you can use right away.

EARN

Receive a downloadable completion
certificate for 5 hours of PD credit.

WORKSHOP DETAILS

Topics covered:

Define a “writing unit”: its length, its focuses, and its final product(s).

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 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.

Learn how 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.

WHO SHOULD
ENROLL?

  • K-12 Classroom Teachers
  • Literacy Coaches
  • Literacy Coordinators
  • Title I Teachers / Directors
  • ELL Teachers
  • K-12 High-Ability Teachers
  • Elementary Administrators
  • High School Administrators

WHAT YOU GET

On-Demand Videos

Relevant & engaging presentations

Launching the Writer's Workshop

Downloadable Book

Launching the Writer’s Workshop: Grades K-2 or Grades 3-12

Secret Site

Lifetime access to digital resources

Completion Certificate

5 hours of PD credit

PRICING & GROUP RATES

1 person

$169

2-14 people

$159/person

Group of 15 or more? Email us or call (888) 376-0448 for custom pricing.

WHAT OTHER
EDUCATORS SAY

“I have learned so much! I have a plan and so many resources available to use. Thank you!”

Amy Green
Teacher, Struble Elementary School, Cincinnati, OH

“I can’t wait to organize my units and utilize the yearlong calendar. What a terrific resource..”

Laura Florek
Teacher, James B. Eads Elementary School, Munster, IN

“I finally feel like I have a handle on how to approach writing. As a middle school history teacher who has to also do a period of writing, this has been invaluable. Loved it!”

Huston Mathias
Teacher, Ingersoll Middle School, Canton, IL

School-Wide Professional Learning Plans

Learn

$2,500/school

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12-month access to Teaching Writing Skills All Year Long.
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Lifetime access to the corresponding “secret site” of digital resources.
Grow

$8,000/school

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12-month access to every webAcademy workshop.

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Lifetime access to the “secret site” for every webAcademy workshop.
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Differentiated PD options to support diverse needs.

Implement

$12,000/school

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12-month access to every webAcademy workshop.

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Lifetime access to the “secret site” for every webAcademy workshop.

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Differentiated PD options to support diverse needs.
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12-month subscription to webPD with access to 300+ PD videos.

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8 hours of customized Remote Coaching to support implementation.

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Customized yearlong Professional Learning Plan aligned to school goals.

TOP QUESTIONS
ABOUT
ON-DEMAND WORKSHOPS

What is included with my registration?
  • Access to the workshop video for one full year.
  • 5 hours of dynamic workshop content.
  • A downloadable copy of the workshop handout.
  • Lifetime access to classroom-ready digital resources.
  • A completion certificate for 5 hours of continuing education credit.
Once I register, when does my access start?

You may select the date that you wish to begin your access, as soon as the next business day.

How long do I have access to the workshop?

Once you enroll in the online workshop, you can access the videos for one full year. 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.

Can I share my workshop with colleagues?

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?
Most likely! With prior approval from your school district, participants may receive credit for up to 5 hours of professional development for completing each of the workshop videos. 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.
Can I receive Illinois-approved credits?

Smekens Education is a for-profit entity located outside of Illinois, and as such is not eligible to administer state-approved PD credit for webAcademy workshops. However, local school districts in Illinois may award credit when educators participate in professional development from Smekens and other for-profit, out-of-state entities. Please contact your district to determine if continuing education credit may be earned by participating in professional development events sponsored by Smekens Education.

Can I earn graduate-level units for this workshop?

Thanks to a partnership with the University of the Pacific, educators who complete each of the videos in a webAcademy workshop are eligible to pursue 1, 2, or 3 graduate-level units. (Graduate-level units cost is separate from registration fees. Units are $62 each.)

Graduate-level units offered through the University of the Pacific are non-degree units which are designed for professional certification renewals and salary step increases. (These are post-baccalaureate professional development semester units of non-degree graduate level and are not applicable to a degree at University of the Pacific.) To learn more, contact us by email or call (888) 376-0448.

What if I'm 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.

Every online workshop comes with a 100% money-back guarantee within the first 10 days of your purchase.

Have a Question?

Complete the form below or call (888) 376-0448.