+
Individualized Writing Instruction
across the Grade Levels
Writing Teacher Presentation, Holy Family School
Presenter: Jennifer Lecheler, Middle School Writing Teacher
+
Objectives and Standards
Objectives:
n Use research to create a shared understanding of the
importance of one-on-one conferencing in writing
instruction.
n Build a plan to implement one-on-one instruction in the
classrooms.
Standards
n CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.5
Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning,
revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.
+
Which are most important to you,
and why?
n Spelling / Grammar / Vocabulary
n Paragraph Structure
n Logical Flow
n Content
n Editing
n Final Product
n Application of Strategies
+
Individual Writing Conferences Can
Improve All Aspects of Writing
Content
Logical
Editing
Flow
Application
Paragraph
of
Structure
Strategies
Spelling/ Individual
Final
Grammar/ Writing Product
Vocab Conference
+
What does the research say?
n Zumbrunn and Krause
n Effective WritingInstruction Strategies
n Focuses on Individual Student Needs
n Works to Help Students Meet Their Individual
Goals
n Eckstein
n PositiveImpact of Individual Conferences
n Meets Students’ Individual Writing Needs
+
What is an Individual Conference?
A student’s writing
needs are addressed
through a one-on-
one interaction.
+
What Does an Individual
Conference Look Like?
n Teacher and student meet in a quiet place.
n Student
begins by identifying questions they have
or areas where they need help.
n Teacher provides support and documents.
n Teacheridentifies areas of strengths and areas to
improve and strengthen writing.
n Student works on areas with support from
teacher.
n Teacher documents.
n Ending Questions / Encouraging Feedback
+
Think about It!
n How do you already do this in your own classroom?
n How
could this work with the unit you are working
on right now?
n What do you think your students would ask about?
+
Structure in Middle School
n Whole Lesson-
n Each student is instructed on the concept.
n Drafting
n Modeling through Mentor Texts-
n Students Examine the writing of another to find
things to emulate.
n Drafting
n Demonstrated Writing-
n Teacher example with “thinking out loud”
n Drafting
+
Structure in Middle School
n Small Group Instruction
n Small group meetings based on students’
perceived needs.
n Drafting/Revising
n Submission of a draft
n Teacher pre-reads each student’s work
n INDIVIDUAL CONFERENCES
+
What Do Students Like about It?
I feel more
comfortable I understand what
asking I need to do to
questions. improve my work
a lot more.
I understand the
expectations better.
I am more confident
in my work when I
turn it in.
+
What Do Teachers Like about It?
I get more work
I can target specific that meets the
skills with specific objective.
students.
I get less questions
I create stronger
about editing requests
connections to
and final scores.
my students.
+
Brainstorm – You Try It!
n How could you build one-on-one conferences into
your writing instruction?
n When would it fit in best?
n How could you create time to meet with students?
n Who could help you provide feedback to
students?
n What positive outcomes can you foresee
happening?
n What obstacles may you encounter?
+
Share- Let’s Talk about It!
n What
did you plan that you are excited
about implementing?
n Where do you need support?
+
Let’s Try It!
n Take out the sample work you brought.
n Look over the students’ writing.
n Identify one strength that you could point out to the
student.
n Identify some areas to help the student improve.
+
What Now? Make a Plan
n Plan to implement these strategies in the
classroom this month.
n Set a goal to meet with each student regarding
his or her writing in the month of April.
n Document what you worked on with the student
and what they are doing well.
