Writing+Initiative

=First Discussions= February 18, 2013 In=service

What can we do better? Goals the list was missing (what a student should be able to do when leaving WHS) Type of training the staff would like to have to become better (was suggested that the entire staff be sent to training)
 * be consistent (9 out of 9 groups indicated this)_
 * have some form of accountability (5)
 * receive and give formal instruction (2)
 * support and monitor efforts (4)
 * as implement strategy, stagger so students will do all year
 * do not assume students have basic skills
 * more frequent writing practice
 * commit to ten year process and stick with it
 * proof read work (3)
 * cite sources (3)
 * use social media (3)
 * mastery of 6 trait writing model (includes mechanics, spelling) (3)
 * understand/avoid plagiarism (3)
 * use primary source material (2)
 * copy paste vs. own thinking
 * what is scaffolding and how do we use it?
 * strategies for IEP, ELL, and 504 students
 * how to write quality prompts
 * note taking format (2)
 * common writing style and how to grade
 * technology: how what we have can be used effectively to promote writing skills
 * study skills

Suggestions/Concerns
 * all classes need access to technology
 * assign teaching buddies (help monitor, encourage)
 * use of shared plan time
 * Freshmen Academy: note taking, time management, organization, active reading, writing model
 * put note taking model in the agenda book
 * if a student proves able to master the strategy working on, they get to leave early while other students retrained during seminar time