Parents learned about writing instruction in The Winnetka Public Schools at an April meeting offered through the Winnetka Parent Institute. At the meeting, about 30 parents gained insight about the yearlong collaboration between the District and the Columbia University Teachers College Reading & Writing Project. The workshop model of writing instruction is implemented in school districts across the country. The project is led by Professor Lucy Calkins, the author of more than 20 best-selling books.

Teachers College staff developer, Shana Frazen, said that each workshop begins with a lesson, involves time working with partners, and incorporates significant independent writing. “This is a program that is heavy on teaching students how to write, and then giving them lots of time to practice,” Frazin said. The focus is on developing the writer versus the writing.

Parents met with Columbia University Teachers College Reading & Writing Staff Developer Shana Frazin at a Winnetka Parent Institute to learn more about the program.

During the workshops, students may write personal essays, historical fiction, poetry, realistic fiction, or literary and comparative essays. They practice incorporating action, dialogue, internal thought, and details into their writing. Hubbard Woods fourth grade teacher David Wartik said the writing workshops in his classroom have been phenomenal. “The quality of writing that my students have been able to produce is staggering,” Wartik said. “It’s really been incredible for us.”

A Carleton Washburne student writes an original sonnet during class.

Frazin said that parents can help their students become stronger writers at home by:

Telling stories — Spend time telling and retelling stories: true stories, silly stories, family stories, and other people’s stories.
Reading aloud wonderful literature — And, you decide what’s wonderful! There is no one definition. Love poetry? Share it. Love sports? Read it out loud. Love music? Google the lyrics and read them while you watch the video on YouTube.
Collecting — Writers collect. Encourage the collection of objects, memories, and artifacts. These collections can go into notebooks or sketchbooks or treasure boxes.
Establishing writing values in your home — Dedicate time, space, and materials to writing, but most importantly, remember that writers write to be read. So find opportunities to write for real audiences and real purposes.
Modeling your own love of writing and reading — Wear your love of writing and reading on your sleeve. Visit bookstores and libraries. Join an adult book club or an adult writing club. Talk about the ways writing and reading matter to you personally and professionally.
Celebrating your child’s approximations — We are all learning to be the best writers we can be. Give compliments that are specific and memorable.
Developing a “revision disposition” in yourself and your child — Our first attempt at anything is never our best work. This is true in sports and in math and in writing. Kids need to see that it is through re-seeing and re-working that our work becomes better.

More information about the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project is available at http://tc.readingandwritingproject.com.