The paragraph is the foundation for all longer pieces of writing. We will model our unique multi-sensory, five-step writing process that makes writing all kinds of paragraphs easier for everyone. We use games, color, kinesthetic approaches, and the principles of cooperative learning to introduce students to paragraph structure based on the major organizational patterns.

This process will truly prepare our students for the much greater emphasis the Common Core Standards place on informational writing. Our sessions excel in making all educators (including those who do not have an English/Language Arts background) comfortable teaching paragraph structure in all subject areas. This process can begin in first grade and last a lifetime. We will share impressive writing results from districts that have used this process to significantly increase writing scores on state-developed and on district created writing tests.

We will model some very innovative techniques for developing informative/explanatory writing. Strategies for producing effective short explanations, developing and designing engaging paragraphs, and custom-designed graphic organizers for crafting informative/explanatory essays will be presented. We will demonstrate our color-coding techniques which will help students use precise nouns and powerful verbs in all forms of communication. Our methods will help students recognize and design writing based on the major organizational patterns including sequence, description, problem/solution, and cause/effect. Everything we model will help students prepare for the Common Core State Writing Standards as well as prepare them for workforce speaking and writing.

The rules for grammar are indeed the foundation for effective and clear communication. Our Custom-Created Grammar Modules provide practice with:

1. the parts of speech
2. punctuation, and
3. style, logic and organization.

A unique five part-lesson plan design introduces students to the rules and gently guides them through practical applications including the connection between grammatical concepts and test-taking formats. We will share data from districts who have made significant improvement on the ACT English Test using our strategies and materials.

Research finally indicates that an emphasis on informational writing can have a significant impact on student test scores in other disciplines, and is a common characteristic in high-performing schools, high poverty schools. In this innovative session we will demonstrate the connection between informational writing and improved thinking skills. We will model techniques for developing clear and concise writing in all subjects. Strategies for high-lighting, color-coding key vocabulary, and using word walls will be presented. Custom-created graphic organizers for writing about experiments in science, engaging in research projects in social studies and for problem-solving in math will be introduced. All of these techniques will help students master informational writing and prepare them for the writing skills that the world of work requires.

In this very exciting session we introduce innovative and practical strategies for helping students develop effective informational writing skills in all content areas. The Power of Three becomes the foundation for developing short constructed responses, well written paragraphs, and effective essays and reports in all subjects.

Our unique approach includes color coding the parts of speech to create word walls to support writing. We also introduce a multisensory approach for developing paragraphs based on the major organizational patterns. We demonstrate how to transition from paragraphs to well-designed essays and reports. Custom-Created Graphic Organizers will be introduced that will help students master the process.

All the strategies we introduce will help students master informational writing and, at the same time, prepare them for workforce writing and speaking. The ability to write and speak convincingly is a highly regarded skill in the world of work as well as a key component in the Common Core State Standards.

In this very exciting session we will introduce some very practical and innovative strategies for persuasive/argumentative writing. These techniques will help students write persuasively in every content area. We will explain how color-coding parts of speech and designing colorful word walls will enhance persuasive writing. Our unique approach includes our “Power Verb” theory and the use of strong adverbs in our writing process.

We will present Custom-Created Graphic Organizers and Checklists that will help students master this process. All the strategies we present will help students master the persuasive writing skills that the Common Core State Standards require. At the same time these techniques will help prepare students for workforce writing and speaking. The ability to write and speak convincingly is a highly regarded skill in the world of work.

By using the universal themes of kindness and courage we will introduce a thematic model for preparing students for Reading and Writing Standardized Tests. We will place a special emphasis on informational reading and writing strategies. Customized Graphic Organizers will be presented for

1. informative/explanatory texts and
2. argumentative/persuasive writing.

Everything we model will help students prepare for state-developed reading and writing tests as well as make connections to the Common Core State Standards for English/Language Arts that will guide us to the future.

Most state developed assessments require students to develop narrative writing. We present Customized Graphic Organizers for each step of the process. Practical techniques for narrowing a topic, developing effective beginnings, designing ”The Mighty Middle,” and creating exciting endings will be modeled. We will demonstrate how classroom design including color-coded word walls support this process. We will model formats to support narrative writing over extended periods of time as well as prepare students for writing on demand. We will share authentic student samples from the districts who have used our techniques to help students master this process both in the classroom and on state and district writing tests.