1. Week One: Investigating the writers and the writing in our classroom Michigan State University Writing Module

2. Welcome! Welcome to our online writing module! Each week, we will post a power point or some other form of media that will help you navigate through the week’s content This week’s power point will induct you into the module and our learning community

3. Who are we? We are Sarah Little and Erin Wibbens, two doctoral students studying teacher education at Michigan State University. We are both former elementary school teachers who currently teach undergraduates and interns in our teacher education program. We specialize in literacy education and even though we have left the classroom, we remain classroom teachers at heart. We are excited to enter into this six week journey with you and look forward to learning with and from all of you.

4. Why are we here? We have three complimentary goals for this course: Goal #1: Investigate the writers and the writing instruction in our classrooms Goal #2: Explore and experiment with innovative forms of writing instruction Goal #3: Participate in a professional learning community As you consider these course wide goals, begin to think about your own personal goals as a teacher or writing. Are there specific areas of your writing instruction on which you would like to focus?

5. Goal #1: Investigate the writers and the writing instruction in our classrooms For me, it is essential that children are deeply involved in writing, that they share their texts with others, and that they perceive themselves as authors. I believe these three things are interconnected. A sense of authorship comes from the struggle to put something big and vital into print, and from seeing one’s own printed words reach the hearts and minds of readers. ~Lucy Calkins, 1986, p. 9 As you read this quote, what stood out to you? How do you see components of this conception of writing play out in your classroom? Also think about how you communicate the importance of writing to your students. Do they see themselves as authors? Since this is a module focused on writing, take a minute to read and think about this view of writing:

6. Goal #2: Explore and experiment with innovative forms of writing instruction Each participant in this module will plan and execute a writing unit in their classroom focused on a specific genre and elements of writing craft and conventions. Before you choose your focus, we encourage you to start thinking about: –Genres (research reports; poetry; personal narratives; persuasive; biographies; and so on) –Elements of writing craft (providing supporting details; writing strong leads; using dialogue; character development; figurative language; and so on) –Writing conventions (paragraph structure; sentence structure; capitalization; punctuation; and so on) Each of these will be covered in later weeks - but start thinking now about what your students need the most

7. Goal #3: Participate in a professional learning community (DuFour, et. al., 2006) What does that mean? A professional learning community is made up of team members who regularly collaborate toward continued improvement in meeting learner needs through a shared curricular-focused vision. Shared Mission, Vision, Values, and Goals Commitment to Continuous Improvement Collaborative Culture Collective Inquiry Supportive and Shared Leadership Supportive Conditions Results Orientation Instructors and module members will respond to each others’ thoughts in a collaborative way that will all help us reach our shared goal of becoming the best writing instructors we can be for our students

8. The Wiki Because this is an online module and all learning is “distance” learning, we have created a “Wiki” to post and submit all module materials Each Monday, we will post content on the Wiki for you to explore. Anything you submit to us or the group will be uploaded to the Wiki as well Any confidential or individual feedback will be emailed directly to the module participant Any email with questions or comments should be sent to both Sarah (little50@msu.edu) and Erin (wibbense@msu.edu)little50@msu.eduwibbense@msu.edu http://launchintoteachingwritingmodule.wiki.educ.msu.edu/

9. Let’s get started! Now that we’re familiar with the goals of the module, let’s start thinking about meeting the goals. By the end of the day on Sunday, October 11, each participant should: –Read the syllabus and schedule posted on the Wiki and email us with any questions (all emails related to the module should be emailed to both Sarah and Erin) –Complete and upload the teacher survey to the Wiki –Respond to the following prompt on the discussion board (100-200 words): Off the top of your head, how would you characterize your students as writers at this point in the year? Are they enthusiastic about writing? Hesitant? What elements of craft and/or conventions do they have under control? With what elements do they struggle?