Documents Library

Becoming More Skilled at Talking about Qualities of Good Writing

As a writing lab professional learning community, we decided one of our foci should be on conferring because it enables us to differentiate our one-on-one and small group instruction to meet diverse student learning needs. After attending Columbia University's Writing Institute, we received mentoring on how to work with individual students to strategically target our instruction. Attached is a sample of some the questioning strategies we are "trying on" as we address the needs of the authors in our classrooms.

Checklist for Angela Johnson

Creating effective charts and placing them strategically throughout the classroom can serve as a learning resource for students and become an extension of our teaching. This is a sample checklist for Angela Johnson mentor text.

Differentiating Instruction for Conversational Text

As our Writing Lab examines how to strengthen the reading-writing connection, we realize that our students need to revisit familiar text and read it like a writer would. What do you notice about the author's intentional craft moves, and how can you add this to your repertoire of writing strategies? Based on the the word of Katie Wood Raye, Lester Laminack and others, we developed this chart which articulates how the craft of conversational text progresses throughout the grade levels.

Generating Strategies

This is a compilation of the generating strategies for opening the Writers Notebook that was shared at the August 2010 Writing Institute. Its purpose is to encourage students to find ideas to write about without prompting.

Sample Reflection Checklist for Kevin Henkes

Large charts throughout the classroom serve as reference tools for students. Students can keep a smaller version in their Writing Folder and/or Writers Notebook.

With Different Eyes Conference Powerpoint

This is the powerpoint shared during the workshop we held at UCLA's annual With Different Eyes Conference November 2011. It highlights how interactive writing, mentor text, and conferring and effective strategies to support English Language Learners.

Conferring Toolkit Form

The form outlines how to create a Conferring Toolkit.

Daring and Deep Revisions

These are notes taken from the 2010 Columbia University Writing Institute Workshop presented by Audra Robb about Daring and Deep Revisions.

Level A Conferring Notes

Reader's Wkshp Level A Notes for use during conferring

Level B Conferring Notes

Level B reader's workshop conferring notes

Level C Conferring Notes

Level C reader's workshop conferring notes

Level D Conferring Notes

Level D reader's workshop conferring notes

Level E Conferring Notes

Level E reader's workshop conferring notes

Level F Conferring Notes

Level F reader's workshop conferring notes

Level G Conferring Notes

Level G reader's workshop conferring notes

Level H Conferring Notes

Level H reader's workshop conferring notes

Level I Conferring Notes

Level I reader's workshop conferring notes

Level J Conferring Notes

Level j reader's workshop conferring notes

Level K Conferring Notes

Level K reader's workshop conferring notes

Level M Conferring Notes

Level M reader's workshop conferring notes

Level L Conferring Notes

Level L reader's workshop conferring notes

Level N Conferring Notes

Level N reader's workshop conferring notes

Level O Conferring Notes

Level O reader's workshop conferring notes

Level P Conferring Notes

Level P reader's workshop conferring notes

Level Q Conferring Notes

Level Q reader's workshop conferring notes

Level R Conferring Notes

Level R reader's workshop conferring notes

Level S Conferring Notes

Level S reader's workshop conferring notes

Level T Conferring Notes

Level T reader's workshop conferring notes

Level U Conferring Notes

Level U reader's workshop conferring notes

Level V Conferring Notes

Level V reader's workshop conferring notes

Sample Leveled Reading Notes

A sample of reader's workshop conferring notes.

Books to Love: Reading as a Writer

A list of read alouds to use as mentor text; teaching writing with literature.

Blank Reading Conferring Notes

With this sheet, you can decide on your own goals.

Strategy Read Alouds

A list of books to read aloud while using reading strategies.

Expository Writing

Ways to organize expository writing for primary grades.

Charts & Checklists

Charts and checklists students can used as resources when writing.

Reading Strategy Posters

Reading Strategy posters can be used while reading aloud to the students and teaching them one strategy at a time.

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The Process of Writing a Narrative 4th grade

This is the chart that I create as I teach these process lessons. After I've completed the entire process, I print this sheet out and give them to the students to keep in their folders as a resource.

Writing Informational Texts- Third grade

I create this poster as I teach the process lessons. After I have taught all of the lessons, I print out these sheets for the students to have as a resource in their writing folder.

Five Ways to Improve Essays

From Columbia University's 2011 Writing Institute, these notes reflect a workshop led by Kate Roberts on how to improve essay writing.

Moving Toward Essay Writing

From Columbia University's 2011 August Writing Institute, these notes are from a discussion about how to move students towards essay writing.

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Engaging the Disengaged

From Columbia University's 2011 August Writing Institute, these notes are from a workshop given on how to engage students who are disengaged from the writing process.

Issac's Writing

Issac's Writing with Standards in Practice Protocol

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Suleima's Writing

Suleima's writing analysis using the Standards in Practice Protocol.

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Victor's Writing

Victor's writing analysis using the Standards in Practice Protocol.

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Tool Good Writers Use To Make A Movie For The Reader

This chart enables students to enhance their writing by using mentor text/author's craft.

Process Chart for Writing Small Moments

This chart is an example of a poster created to help students understand the strategies and concepts taught during Writers Workshop. This particular chart was used throughout the Small Moments Unit.

Issac's Writing

This is a sample of Issac's writing seen through the lens of the Standards in Practice model.

Suleima's Writing

Suleima's Writing and SIP

Victor's Writing

Victor and SIP