February 6, 2021
February 20, 2021
Building better writers in the COVID era
This fun and engaging day of learning will feature more than 25 virtual, interactive sessions that will bolster your writing instruction whether you’re teaching students in person or remotely.
No matter if you are new to teaching writing or a seasoned pro, Super Saturday will provide the methods and motivation you need to build better writers!

Choose from 25 sessions offering practical strategies to teach writing both in person & remotely
PLAN & ORGANIZE
Honor the most important “F” in class—Feedback
AUDIENCE: K-12, ELL All Levels
PRESENTER: Kristina Smekens
10:15 a.m. -11:00 a.m. EDT
Teach developmentally-appropriate writing all year
AUDIENCE: K-2, ELL Levels 1-2
PRESENTER: Shona Lansdell
11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. EDT
Collaborate & engage students while social distancing
AUDIENCE: K-12, ELL All Levels
PRESENTER: Bridget Longmeier
12:30 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. EDT
Plan the year of writing units
Teachers at every level are expected to provide writing experiences across the three major modes—argumentative, informative, and narrative. However, teachers need not be married to the mother-lode unit that spans weeks and ends with a single final draft. Participants in this session leave with a pandemic-proof calendar suggesting a progression of mini-units across the year.
AUDIENCE: 2-12, ELL Levels 3-5
PRESENTER: Courtney Gordon
1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. EDT
Convert the writer’s workshop from in-person to virtual
AUDIENCE: K-12, ELL All Levels
PRESENTER: Rachel Remenschneider
2:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. EDT
LESSON ESSENTIALS
Target the Six Traits within your daily writing instruction
This is a great first session. Knowing what the traits are and how they look and sound will help you make connections throughout the conference. Not only do participants learn about the traits in general but also the specific writing skills to target all year long in every grade level and any writing unit.
AUDIENCE: K-12, ELL All Levels
PRESENTER: Bridget Longmeier
10:15-11:00 a.m. EDT
Target the essential skills per writing unit
AUDIENCE: 3-12, ELL Levels 3-5
PRESENTER: Kristina Smekens
11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. EDT
Deliver best-practice lessons regardless of your classroom setting
AUDIENCE: K-12, ELL All Levels
PRESENTER: Courtney Gordon
12:30 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. EDT
Support writers at home and school with procedural lessons
AUDIENCE: K-12, ELL All Levels
PRESENTER: Shona Lansdell
1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. EDT
Maximize the I do component of every lesson
The most effective writing mini-lessons follow a gradual release of responsibility and are rooted in oral Think Alouds and visual anchor charts. In this session, learn how to perfect the “I do” portion of every mini-lesson by moving beyond telling what to teaching how.
AUDIENCE: K-12, ELL All Levels
PRESENTER: Kristi McCullough
2:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. EDT
Advance from retelling to summarizing to main idea
AUDIENCE: K-12, ELL All Levels
PRESENTER: Kristi McCullough
10:15-11:00 a.m. EDT
Organize text details in order to write
When students write about nonfiction, the challenge is rarely a lack of information. Instead, the real trick is teaching them how to organize the information in a way that is clear and logical. In this session, learn how to engage students in purposeful pre-writing that uses one of only three graphic organizers.
AUDIENCE: 2-12, ELL Levels 3-5
PRESENTER: Kristi McCullough
11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. EDT
Summarize content-area information
Teaching students to write strong, cohesive summaries is as important in the content areas as it is in English Language Arts. After all, scientists, historians, and mathematicians write. In this session, learn how to bolster content-area instruction by weaving together core vocabulary within accurate summaries.
AUDIENCE: 3-12, ELL Levels 3-5
PRESENTER: Kristi McCullough
12:30 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. EDT
Note & annotate reader thoughts
AUDIENCE: 3-12, ELL Levels 3-5
PRESENTER: Bridget Longmeier
1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. EDT
Target opinion-based reading responses in K-2
AUDIENCE: K-2, ELL Levels 1-2
PRESENTER: Shona Lansdell
2:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. EDT
Make an inference in 5 steps
Students can’t write beyond the text if they can’t comprehend what the text says. This session targets the inferential thinking that needs to occur before students begin writing about their reading. Learn the concrete, 5-step process that helps students to improve their thinking and ultimately their writing.
AUDIENCE: K-12, ELL All Levels
PRESENTER: Shona Lansdell
10:15-11:00 a.m. EDT
Convey inferences in constructed responses
AUDIENCE: 2-12, ELL Levels 3-5
PRESENTER: Bridget Longmeier
11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. EDT
Synthesize ideas across texts
AUDIENCE: 3-12, ELL Levels 3-5
PRESENTER: Kristina Smekens
12:30 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. EDT
Raise the rigor from short to long reading responses
AUDIENCE: 3-12, ELL Levels 3-5
PRESENTER: Kristina Smekens
1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. EDT
Compare ideas & concepts across texts
AUDIENCE: K-12, ELL All Levels
PRESENTER: Courtney Gordon
2:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. EDT
Write arguments based on textual evidence
The standards expect students to read multiple texts on a debatable topic and then write an argumentative response. This requires students to have a strong grasp of the difference between inferring reasons and finding evidence. Attend this session to learn strategies for teaching both.
AUDIENCE: 3-12, ELL Levels 3-5
PRESENTER: Courtney Gordon
10:15-11:00 a.m. EDT
Recognize evidence in videos and visuals
Textual evidence comes from more than just traditional print text. This session provides actionable techniques to help writers be discerning readers in the digital era. Teach students how to extract meaning from illustrations, photos, infographics, audio, and videos in order to write evidence-rich content.
AUDIENCE: K-12, ELL All Levels
PRESENTER: Courtney Gordon
11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. EDT
Troubleshoot the 4 common evidence errors
AUDIENCE: 2-12, ELL Levels 3-5
PRESENTER: Shona Lansdell
12:30 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. EDT
Incorporate textual evidence in small-group guided writing
AUDIENCE: K-2, ELL Levels 1-2
PRESENTER: Kristi McCullough
1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. EDT
Achieve a blend of evidence and elaboration
AUDIENCE: 3-12, ELL Levels 3-5
PRESENTER: Kristina Smekens
2:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. EDT
PD on a Saturday??
Ok, let’s face it—teachers are being stretched to the limit, and weekends are a cherished pocket of personal time. So why would you want to attend a full-day workshop on a Saturday?
Super Saturday is going to be super fun! With free digital giveaways and periodic prize drawings, everyone will be a winner.
You will learn so many practical, ready-to-use strategies, you’ll be excited to return to school on Monday.
Substitute teachers are virtually nonexistent at most schools, making mid-week attendance nearly impossible. Even if you could find a sub, attending on a Saturday means no sub plans!
Attending on a Saturday allows you to participate from the comfort of your own home.
Don’t want to give up your Saturday? No problem! Register anyway so that you have on-demand access to the entire conference after the live event concludes.

Earn continuing education credit
Receive a certificate reflecting 5.25 hours of professional development when you attend the full event on February 6 or February 20, 2021.
Choose your date

February 6, 2021
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. EDT
$199/person

February 20, 2021
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. EDT
$199/person
More Registration Options
Register a group of 2-19 people.
Groups of 20 or more, contact us for special pricing and arrangements.
What you’ll get:
More than 5 hours of relevant and engaging PD
Downloadable handouts & digital resources for every session
On-demand access to video replays of every session until June 1, 2021
Completion certificate showing 5.25 hours of PD
Practical strategies you can use right away whether you’re teaching in person or remotely
Tools & motivation to impact every student
What to expect from a Smekens Writing Conference

You walk away with all the materials you need to go back and implement immediately. It’s easy to follow, very real-world.
Kelley Grate
Literacy Coach,
Bon Air Elementary, Kokomo, IN

Students’ motivation, enjoyment that they get from the lessons I take from here and then apply into my classroom—it’s engaging for them!
Tara Vogt & Aimee Wesling
7th & 8th Grade Teachers
Westview Jr. Sr High School, Topeka, IN

I was a little bit nervous about teaching writing because it wasn’t in my comfort zone. Now we are writing in math, social studies, science, and responding to reading.
Nicole Detres
3rd Grade Teacher
Liberty School, Orland Park, IL
Who attends this conference?
High-Ability Teachers
Meet the presenters

Kristina Smekens
Learn more about Kristina
A master of motivation, Kristina helps educators find the encouragement they need to return to their classrooms and execute change.

Courtney Gordon
Learn more about Courtney
Known both for her enthusiasm and expertise, Courtney is a dynamic personality who makes friends fast and serves as a trusted guide to teachers across the K-12 spectrum.
With more than 10 years of experience as a Smekens literacy consultant, Courtney has the expertise to support teachers at every level of implementation.

Shona Lansdell
Learn more about Shona
Always approachable and empathetic, Shona taps into her 25 years of experience as a teacher, coach, and building leader to offer practical and realistic guidance to teachers.
This professional development dynamo packs a punch with crowds of all sizes as she motivates educators to apply best-practice literacy strategies.

Bridget Longmeier
Learn more about Bridget
Bridget loves to learn, grow, and help others. That’s why she’s so motivated to come alongside teachers as they execute best-practice instruction in reading and writing.
Bridget’s career as an elementary teacher, literacy coach and Reading Recovery-trained practitioner has equipped her with the skills to help new and experienced educators alike.

Kristi McCullough
Learn more about Kristi
Her rich experiences as a teacher, professor, coach, author, and literacy consultant allow Kristi to offer practical, classroom-tested support to elementary educators.

Rachel Remenschneider
Learn more about Rachel
She and her colleagues at Leo Elementary made a difference with their students by continuing with a new brand of school after COVID-19 caused a fast pivot for teachers, students, and families.
FAQs
Can I earn Professional Growth Credits?
With prior approval from the attendee’s school district, participants may receive credit for 5.25 hours of professional development for participating in this virtual workshop. After the workshop concludes, attendees will be awarded a Certificate of Participation which can be used to verify attendance. Visit our Continuing Education Credit page for more information about how this workshop fulfills your state’s unique continuing education requirements.
Can I earn Graduate-Level Units?
Through a partnership with University of the Pacific, workshop attendees are eligible to pursue one, two, or three nationally-accredited graduate-level semester credits/units after this virtual conference.
The cost of graduate-level credit ($62 per credit/unit) is separate from the cost of attending a workshop. For more information, please contact us.
What is the workshop itinerary?
The conference will begin at 9 am. and end at 4 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time). More specifics about the itinerary will be released soon.
Will this workshop be recorded?
Yes, you can watch the replays of all 25 sessions until June 1, 2021!
Do you offer a group discount?
For groups of 20 or more, contact us for special pricing and arrangements.
Will I receive a note-taking handout?
What is the cancellation policy?
If you have a change in plans and need to cancel your registration, please submit your request to workshops@smekenseducation.com. Cancellations and a full refund may occur at any time prior to the workshop.
Ready to reignite your writing instruction?
Have a Question?
Complete the form below or call (888) 376-0448.