Teacher's Professional Day
November 26, 2007

Gary Chadwell, Educational Consultant
and the Collins Writing Program


"Be a coach not a managing editor."

 Gary Chadwell was the presenter at Eliot's Professional Development Day, November 26, 2007. He introduced the Five Types of Writing from the Collins Writing Program, led learning activities, helped teachers to set student writing goals and inspired teachers to embrace his strategies. The workshop was generously funded by the Needham Educational Foundation.

Keys to Improving Student Writing

  • Coordinated Effort
  • Writing as thinking
  • Strategic Teaching Focus
    Narrow the range and raise the accountability
  • Student Productivity & Engagement

The Three F's of Better Writing

  • Frequency
  • Focus of Instruction
  • Feedback

 

Gary recommended this article on quizzing,
You Will be Tested on This, by David Glenn, a copy of which is available in the teacher's room.

Teachers brainstorm ways to apply the Five Types of Writing to the curriculum.

Teachers worked in small groups to develop FCAs (Focus Correction Areas) to help students improve writing.

Kathleen Martell, Instructional Technology Specialist
Needham Public Schools, Needham Ma
November 2007