BTS Literacy Conference

Many teachers have confessed that they struggle to get their writer’s workshop off the ground. What should I do the first weeks of school? What are key lessons to jumpstart my writing curriculum? How fast or slow should I move? Regardless of the writing model you’re currently using, this full-day workshop provides participants with a powerful framework of lessons that can help launch their writing year. Throughout the day, attendees will have the opportunity to plot and plan their own instructional calendar for teaching writing during the first six weeks of school. Teachers walk out the door at the end of the workshop ready to go with their own blueprints in hand!

Workshop Topics

• Understand the four phases of the workshop launch.
• Learn classroom-tested routines and procedures to establish the writing environment.
• Set the tone that writing occurs daily.
• Receive organizational ideas for writers’ notebooks.
• Learn day-by-day strategies to introduce the 6 Traits of Writing so teachers and students are using a common language.
• Balance free-choice writing topics with teacher-assigned topics.
• Receive ready-to-go lessons with supporting resources, activity pages, and authentic student writing samples.

When you leave, you will be able to:

• Kick off the school year with a 20-day “game plan” for teaching writing.
• Establish routines to effectively manage a writer’s workshop.
• Implement a writer’s notebook in the classroom.
• Lead efficient and effective writing conferences with students.
• Develop a classroom writing rubric that students can use and understand.
• Transition from procedural lessons into the first writing unit.
• Take home a complimentary copy of Kristina’s book, Launching The Writer’s Workshop.

Free follow-up training video:

• Teachers who attend Launching the Writer's Workshop will be given a complimentary one-month subscription to Kristina's matching video on webPD, Launching the Writer's Workshop Procedures.
• During the complimentary subscription period, teachers are encouraged to share access with every colleague in their school, allowing the entire staff to learn key concepts from the workshop.

Book & online resources are free!
Attendees receive a FREE copy of Launching the Writer’s Workshop, available for K-2 or grades 3-12. This popular resource is loaded with lesson plans, anchor papers, and classroom photos and includes online access to downloadable forms and handouts. (A $28 value!)

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Workshop Excerpts:

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Target Audience

K-6 Classroom Teachers
Literacy Coaches
Literacy Coordinators
Title I Teachers / Directors
6-12 ELA Teachers
K-12 High-Ability Teachers
K-12 Administrators

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Testimonials

"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, Grade 8 US History & Writing Teacher, Ingersoll Middle School, Canton, IL

"My entire 4th grade team started on the first day of school with Kristina's personal post-it notes to plan 'launching the writing workshop,' and it was phenomenal! Thank you for fun, engaging lessons and mentor texts that are easy to implement and use!" Megan McAdams, Grade 4 Teacher, Frances Slocum Elementary, Marion, IN
 

“Kristina presents information without promoting a program and makes it valuable for every grade level.” Lisa Savage, Grade 2 Teacher, Hicksville Exempted Village School District, Hicksville, OH

"I am never let down when I come to a Smekens workshop. I leave every time with realistic teaching strategies, fantastic resources, and a clear plan on how to go back to school and use what I have learned." Christa Benedict, Grades 6-8 Teacher, Immaculate Heart of Mary School, Cincinnati, OH
 

“I am finally not overwhelmed thinking about my year of writing units. I know what I need to do to set up a successful year of writing for my kids!” Rachel Gish, Grade 3 Teacher, Holy Family School, New Albany, IN

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Graduate-Level Credit

Workshop attendees can earn one, two, or three hours of nationally-accredited graduate-level semester credit for attending one or more of the Back-to-School workshops. The cost of graduate credit is separate from the cost of attending a workshop. For more information, please contact us.

Call Smekens Education toll free to learn more.
888-376-0448