solutions for common core writing success

Solutions for Common Core

Writing Success

www.WriteStepsWriting.com

Suzanne Klein

“We must improve the quality of our students’

writing if they are to succeed in college

and in life.”


“Both blue-collar workers (80%) and white-collar workers (93%) say writing is important to success in their careers.”

~The National Writing Project


Suzanne Klein Writing Coach,K-5 Teacher, National Presenter, National Writing Project Fellow, Writing Coach, and Founder & CEO of WriteSteps

“Often, the evidence of success is slow in coming

or impossible to see. Therefore, much good work must be

done by faith and by faith alone.”

~Lorraine Monroe, American educator and reformerwww.WriteStepsWriting.com

The Common Core Standards and Change


Technology isn’t the only thing that is changing

The 7 Keys to Successful Common Core Writing in Your

Building

1. Common Core Readiness


2. Instruction

3. Classroom Management

4. Writing Across the Curriculum

5. Responsibilities of Administration

6. Teacher Training

7. Home/School Connection

Purpose & Objectives1. Keys 2. Problems

Common CoreReadiness

Instruction

Knowledge

Time

Materials

3. Tools

H, M, L

1st Key: Common Core Readiness

Tool #1: Cool AppsOur teachers have copies of the Common Core writing

standards.

In the iTunes app store: http://bit.ly/iWZSds

In the Google play store: http://bit.ly/UWkSVp


http://bit.ly/iWZSds

http://bit.ly/iWZSds

http://bit.ly/UWkSVp

http://bit.ly/UWkSVp


Our school is 100% compliant with the Common Core Writing Standards.



Have you seen the prototype questions being developed for Common Core writing?


1St Key: Common Core Instruction


30%opinion

35% narrative

35%informative

1St Key: Common Core Instruction


Writing instruction belongs in the hands of all disciplines.

The standards emphasize Writing Across the Curriculum

Much explanatory and informational writing will occur in the context of science, social studies, and reading.

“Students need broad-based experiences in which reading and writing tasks are integrated with their

work throughout the curriculum.”

--Langer and Applebee

2nd Key: Instruction

“Simply put, in the whole range of academic course work, American children do not write frequently enough, and the

reading and writing tasks they are given do not require them to think deeply enough.”

~Langer and Applebee (1978)

In one recent study in grades one, three, and five, only 15 percent of the school day was spent in any kind of writing

activity. Two-thirds of the writing that did occur was word-for-word copying in workbooks.

~National Writing Project (2003)www.WriteStepsWriting.com


Obstacles

Principal = Remover of Obstacles



Knowledge

“Every district should require each teacher to successfully complete a course in writing theory and practice as a

condition for teacher licensing.”

~ The National Commission on Writing


Americans want to see teacher-training programs include courses on teaching writing (79% “good idea”)

and professional development for current teachers (75% “good idea”).

-From the National Commission on Writing, 2010



Knowledge

Teachers learn best from each other.

TeacherStar celebrates excellence in teaching by sharing videos of best practices.



Strategy #2: My Glows & Grows



Glows & Grows


Step 1: Pass out packet & go over directions

Step 2: Recruit someone to compile the Glows & Grows

Step 3: Glow Sharing

8:30-8:40 Glow teacher David is sharing to a group of Grows

8:45-8:55 Grow teacher David now listens to a Glow teacher



“I don’t have time to teach writing!”

15% of the school day was spent in writing activities of any kind. 2/3 of that writing was word-for-word copying in workbooks.

Time

Mantra: I do what is best for our children. Period.



Time If it is importantto you, you will

find a way.If not, you’ll find

an excuse.



“I don’t have time” often means “I don’t know how.”

=I lack confidence

I don’t see myself as a writer

I don’t have a consistent routine for writing


Time


How much time is enough?

Grades K-1: At least 3 days a week for 45 minutes or longerGrades 2-5: At least 4 days a week for 45 minutes or longer

90-minute ELA Block

ELA =• reading

• spelling• gramma

r• writing

Minimum


How Many

Hours?

Strategy: Crunch the Numbers

3 R’s• Reading• Writing• Arithmet

ic



Drop Ins


Strategy: Random Drop-Ins

Visit 2 classrooms per day

Go when teachers have planned to teach writing

Are they following through with plans?


How Often?


Strategy: Frequency Checks


High, Medium, and Low samples


H, M, L



Materials

Lack of materials or lack of quality materials = low achievement



Strategy: Real Common Core Materials

"Here's what's happening right now in textbook land…

They're not changing anything in the curriculum.They are simply relabeling.”

~Comment on Common Core publishing from Beverlee Jobrack, 25-year editorial director for

one of the largest educational publishing companies in the business.________________________________________________________

Materials



Strategy: Real Common Core Materials

Materials

Article in e-newsletter


Confidence + Accountability = Success

Thank you for joining me…

Suzanne Klein, Common Core Writing

SpecialistSuzanne@WriteStepsWriting.

com 734-834-4889

Contact me for a FREE 20 minute Awareness Session during a staff meeting.

solutions for common core writing success

Education

writing theory

writing activities

successful common core

st key

national writing projectfellow

common core standards

kind of writing activity

instruction time