Teacher resources and professional development across the curriculum

Teacher professional development and classroom resources across the curriculum

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What contributes to an effective writing program?

A student in a classroom.In the first video segment, Professor Ruiz focuses on three components of an effective writing program: personal connections, conventions, and inventions. (If you are watching the video in segments, you will find this image at the beginning of the video.)

  • Discuss the components of an effective writing program and why they are important.
  • How might you rearrange your schedule to create more time for students to write in general and, in particular, for students to write about their personal experiences?
  • How can you create ways for students to make personal connections in different subject areas through writing?
  • How can student work help you decide which conventions to teach?
  • When can you promote student inventions and experimentation with different formats in writing?

How can teachers foster independent writing?

Some writing work of a student.In this segment, Professor Ruiz discusses the importance of personalized response to the content of student writing, the value of student discussion before writing, and the significance of using books as models of effective writing. (If you are watching the video in segments, you will find this image approximately 13 minutes into the video.)

  • What factors support student growth in writing?
  • How does a personalized response encourage students in writing? What changes might you consider based on Professor Ruiz's comments and the classroom examples?
  • Consider the opportunities you provide for student discussion before writing. How could you increase those opportunities? What kinds of writing exercises lend themselves to discussion?
  • How can you provide models of writing for your students?
  • How can you enhance the use of oral language to promote students' writing skills?

How is writing effectively assessed?

People in a classroom.In the last video segment, Professor Ruiz suggests two different ways of assessing student writing: creating and maintaining an ongoing portfolio of student work, and monthly writing assessments. (If you are watching the video in segments, you will find this image approximately 21 minutes into the video.)

  • What are the benefits of the assessment strategies Professor Ruiz proposes?
  • What benefits and challenges do portfolios present?
  • Describe your experience with more formal assessments such as the monthly writing assessment Professor Ruiz describes. What are the challenges of incorporating formal assessments into your curriculum? How might you address them?

Next > Extend Your Knowledge

Session 4: Printouts | Assignments | Resources


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