The Write Tools offers three workshops based on different text types.
Each workshop provides three days of professional development and includes a 500+page binder with sample lessons, rubrics, and a wealth of reproducibles, as well as a complimentary copy of The Write Tools Writing Software. Our training and curriculum yield measurable results, are grounded in solid research, and clearly aligned to meet Academic State Standards. Our trainers model best practices in writing throughout the workshops, which include writing demonstrations, collaborative work, and strategy-specific instruction that is step by step and easy to follow.
We also offer two one-day, add-on sessions.
Add-on sessions are available for Primary/Level 1 and Text-Dependent Analysis. These one-day sessions build on the Informative/Explanatory workshop, offering a more in-depth look at these topics.
Training Format
The Write Tools offers both in-person and online training so you can pick the format and timing that works best for your needs. Whether you attend in-person or virtually, come prepared to engage and enjoy the hands-on, discussion based format we offer. Participants practice all strategies in class so they can return to their classrooms with confidence, knowing that they are equipped to achieve measurable results and model effective writing for their students.
The Write Tools for Meeting Academic Standards: Informative/Explanatory
This three-day training is your introduction to The Write tools. We develop the common language and basic strategies that lay the foundation for a school-wide approach to writing. Course Highlights:
- The Informative/Explanatory workshop provides K-12 teachers with essential strategies and hands-on practice so they can immediately implement these instructional tools in their classrooms.
- This course vigorously engages participants in reading and writing strategies and techniques designed to help teach the art of informative/explanatory writing and reading informational text across the curriculum at all grade levels.
- Special attention is given to how these strategies meet the rigors of meeting Academic State Standards.
- During the workshop, we focus on the entire writing process, the organization of informational/explanatory text for both reading and writing purposes, and note-taking skills.
- Participants will examine the developmental stages of writing, learn and practice research-based strategies and techniques for teaching informational/explanatory writing skills including sentence building, paragraph and multi-paragraph writing, and compare and contrast essays.
The Informative/Explanatory workshop includes:
One Day:
Paragraph Writing
Intro to Academic Standards for ELA
6+1 Traits
Writing Demonstration
Writing Routine for Paragraphs: Specific Strategies for Informative/Explanatory Paragraphs
- Planning
- Drafting
- Revising
- Editing
- Publishing
Best Practices for Writing
Guided Practice
Independent Practice
Classroom Stories
Student Samples
Research/Data
One Day:
Multi-paragraph Writing and Compare/Contrast Writing
Review of Writing Process
Writing Demonstration
Writing Routine for Multiparagraph Essays:
- Planning
- Drafting
- Revising
- Editing
- Publishing
Compare/Contrast Writing
Best Practices for Writing
Guided Practice
Independent Practice
Classroom Stories
Students Samples
Research/Data
One Day:
Responding to Informational Text
Specific Strategies for Close Reading of Informational Text:
- Responding to Text
- Annotating/Highlighting Text
- Text Discussion Protocols
- Summarizing Text
- Notetaking
Best Practices for Writing
Guided Practice
Independent Practice
Classroom Stories
Students Samples
Research/Data
Primary/Level 1
This one-day, add-on training offers writing strategies geared to teachers of Primary/Level 1 writers including ESL, and Special Ed teachers. May be available as Day 3 of I/E
Session topics:
- Sentence Building
- Paragraph Writing
- Reading and Responding to Text
- Best Practices for Writing
- Guided Practice
- Independent Practice
- Classroom Stories
- Students Samples
- Research/Data
During the three-day training we will also discuss:
- Assessment
- Current Writing Research
- Connections Across All Literacy Standards including information and strategies for Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening, and Language.
- Sample Lessons for Students
- Writing to Prompts
- The Write Tools Writing Software (All binders include a complimentary copy for use on a single computer.)
The Write Tools for Meeting Academic Standards: Narrative: Real and Imagined
This three-day course actively engages participants in writing strategies and techniques designed to teach the art of Narrative writing both Real and Imagined.
- This important and unique genre of writing is often included on district and state writing assessments and is an integral part of the Academic Standards that have been adopted by most states.
- Three full days will be devoted to this type of writing, specifically addressing Imaginative Narrative, Real Narrative, and Responding to Literature and Language.
- There will be a focus on the full writing process, as well as the organization and essential elements of Narrative writing.
- We will also discuss the organization and elements of fiction necessary for a well-balanced and entertaining narrative built around the 6+1 traits of writing.
The Narrative workshop includes:
One Day:
Imaginative Narrative Writing
Intro to Academic Standards for ELA
6+1 Traits
Writing Demonstration
Connecting Reading to Writing
Elements of Fiction
Writing Routine for Imaginative Narrative:
- Planning
- Drafting
- Revising
- Editing
- Publishing
Best Practices for Writing
Guided Practice
Independent Practice
Classroom Stories
Student Samples
Research/Data
One Day:
Real Narrative Writing
Writing Demonstration
Connecting Reading to Writing
Elements of Fiction
Writing Routine for Real Narratives:
- Planning
- Drafting
- Revising
- Editing
- Publishing
Best Practices for Writing
Guided Practice
Independent Practice
Classroom Stories
Student Samples
Research/Data
One Day:
Responding to Literature/Language
Writing to Read
Specific Strategies for Close Reading of Literature
Responding to Text
- Summarizing Fiction
- Answering Short Constructed Responses for Literature
- Answering Extended Construct Responses for Literature
Strategies for Reading and Analyzing Poetry
Strategies for Building Vocabulary
Best Practices for Writing
Guided Practice
Independent Practice
Classroom Stories
Student Samples
Research/Data
During the three-day training we will also discuss:
- Assessment
- Current Writing Research
- Connections Across All Literacy Standards including information and strategies for Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening, and Language.
- Sample Lessons for Students
- Writing to Prompts
- The Write Tools Writing Software (All binders include a complimentary copy for use on a single computer.)
The Write Tools for Meeting Academic Standards: Opinion Argumentation
This three-day workshop actively engages participants in writing strategies and techniques designed to teach the art of Opinion/Argumentation writing.
- This training is for K-12 teachers in all content areas.
- The manual includes differentiated teaching strategies for: Opinion Writing (K-5), Argumentation (6-12), Research Papers and Projects
- This important and unique genre of writing is often included on district and state writing assessments and is part of Academic Standards that have been adopted by most states.
- Teachers will leave the workshop with proven strategies and common language around what is frequently a difficult process for students.
The Opinion/Argumentation workshop includes:
One Day:
Opinion Paragraph Writing (K-5)
Intro to Academic Standards for ELA
6+1 Traits
Writing Demonstration
Writing Routine for Opinion Paragraphs:
- Planning
- Drafting
- Revising
- Editing
- Publishing
Best Practices for Writing
Guided Practice
Independent Practice
Classroom Stories
Students Samples
Research/Data
One Day:
Argumentation Writing (6-12)
Review of Writing Process
Clarification of Academic Standards Language
Expectations for Argumentation
Definition of Argumentative Writing
Writing Demonstration
Persuasion vs. Argumentation
Understanding Terminology
Point of View
Claims/Counterclaims
Ethos, Pathos, Logos Arguments
Best Practices for Writing
Guided Practice
Independent Practice
Classroom Stories
Students Samples
Research/Data
One Day:
Research Papers and Projects (k-12)
Academic Standards Expectations for Research
Close Reading of Informational Text
Writing Demonstration
Developing Research Questions
Selecting Appropriate Sources
- Traditional
- Internet
MLA Research Standards
Notetaking
Organizing a Research Project
Works Cited Page
Projects for Younger Students
Best Practices for Writing
Guided Practice
Independent Practice
Classroom Stories
Students Samples
Research/Data
During the three-day training we will also discuss:
- Assessment
- Current Writing Research
- Connections Across All Literacy Standards including information and strategies for Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening, and Language.
- Sample Lessons for Students
- Writing to Prompts
- The Write Tools Writing Software (All binders include a complimentary copy for use on a single computer.)
Primary/Level 1
This one-day, add-on training offers writing strategies geared to teachers of Primary/Level 1 writers including ESL, and Special Ed teachers.
Session topics:
- Sentence Building
- Paragraph Writing
- Reading and Responding to Text
- Best Practices for Writing
- Guided Practice
- Independent Practice
- Classroom Stories
- Students Samples
- Research/Data
Workshop Requirements:
- Previous attendance at 3-day Informative/Explanatory training or may be able to use as Day 3 of I/E
- Bring your green I/E binder please
The Write Tools for Meeting Academic Standards: Text-Dependent Analysis
This one day follow-up training is designed to blend current Write Tools strategies with NEW strategies to explicitly teach tools for proficient Text Dependent Analysis writing.
Participants will learn:
- to teach students to elicit an evidence-based response from an informational text or literature passage.
- to support students in providing evidence from the text to support analysis, reflection, or ideas and opinions.
- to extend the basic Write Tools writing skills while making use of and referencing content from the passage to support the analysis.
Workshop Requirements:
- Previous attendance at 3-day Informative/Explanatory training
- Bring your green I/E binder please
Are you ready to transform writing instruction for your school or district?
The Write Tools has helped schools around the nation improve their writing instruction, increase student engagement, and improve test scores with Consistent, Systematic, Explicit Writing Instruction that includes Common Language, Common Strategies, and a Common Vision.