Every week students practice:
•	Organizing their thoughts with pre-writing exercises
•	Writing for a sustained period. 
•      Reading their work out loud
•	Listening to their peers in an engaged and respectful way
•	Giving articulate, respectful, and helpful feedback to their peers
•	Developing focus and concentration on a task
•	Letting their creative ideas flourish
•	Exciting collaborative engagement with other students
•       Annotating readings for greater comprehension 
        

 

I've been teaching this writing workshop since 1993. I've seen how much this workshop can iron out grammar mistakes, as well as improve a learner's writing and their attitude about writing. Most students naturally fall into longer writing patterns. They employ many narrative techniques, driven by their imagination and exploration of their ideas.  They There's so much to write about--new characters, new creatures, new adventures. I'm not kidding: most teens won't want to stop even after writing time is over.  The collaborative world building element of creating their own planet creates a bond between students that they won't forget.  I have an M.F.A. in creative writing from Syracuse University '07, went to Smith College, 2000, and have taught creative writing and rhetoric at different universities and colleges on the east coast.

0 - 1 horas semanales fuera de clase
Evaluación de dominio
Frecuencia: 1-2 por semana
Comentario: según sea necesario
Detalles: Students have the option to continue their writing after the session is over each week. They can read what they wrote at home as well as what they wrote in class. 
Evaluación
Frecuencia: 1-2 durante toda la clase
Detalles: Students are keenly aware of their peer's reactions to their work. They know when everyone is listening breathlessly.  They know when everyone is excited about their writing. Positive reinforcement for strong writing from the group encourages students to write at a more challenging level.

I like to message parents with questions about what I'm noticing with the learner. This may be related to the way in which they are engaging in class, or ways in which I can more effectively work with them. I also like to share mostly positive feedback with parents, including specific strengths but can also include challenges.