Eligible for Illinois PD Credit and CEU Credit      

Jennifer Serravallo was a teacher in Title I Schools in NYC, and later a Senior Staff Developer at the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project at Columbia University. She is now a national consultant and speaker who helps urban, suburban, and rural schools implement exceptional literacy instruction. She is the author of numerous books on the teaching of reading and writing including the New York Times bestseller, The Reading Strategies Book and the two-time award-winning Independent Reading Assessment series. Her latest book, The Writing Strategies Book, was released in February 2017. Check out her blog at www.jenniferserravallo.com and tweet her @jserravallo.

Drawing from Serravallo’s The Writing Strategies Book, this seminar will help participants to understand a variety of writing genres and modes, writing process, behaviors, skills, and qualities of good writing.

Then, participants learn how to go beyond writing checklists and tips that tell writers what to do, and instead learn how to craft explicit, clear strategies that show children how to do it. We will also explore effective feedback and prompts to coach writers as they practice strategies for their goals.

In the final portion of the day, participants will learn about different methods of teaching (types of individual conferences and small groups) to flexibly respond to students and their needs. Through hands-on activities and video examples of Jen teaching in real classrooms, participants will leave equipped to bring strategies to life in their own rooms right away.

Course goals:

• To understand how to use formative assessment information to find appropriate goals for each writer
• To craft explicit, clear strategies
• To coach and prompt writers, and provide feedback as students practice strategies

During the last hour Kathy Bruni will facilitate table discussions and developing action plans at the close of Jennifer’s presentation. Kathy is a Language Arts Specialist whose educational background encompasses over forty years of teaching and serving in literacy leadership roles. As a consultant/trainer for the DuPage Regional Office of Education’s Literacy Team, she brings to administrators and teachers both current research and practical techniques proven to strengthen students’ literacy skills across content areas. She also serves as the District Literacy Coordinator for Keeneyville District 20.

Writing Strategies Book Club  –  Read, reflect on, and respond to Jennifer Serravallo’s guide to developing skilled readers, The Writing Strategies Book by joining the Illinois Reading Council’s online book club. Participants who complete the nine-week course by reading the text, posting ideas for using the strategies in Google Sites, and responding to others’ posts are eligible to receive 15 PD clock hours at the conclusion of the book club session. Requirements include membership in the Illinois Reading Council (www.illinoisreadingcouncil.org), a Gmail address (free at mail.google.com), and The Writing Strategies Book by Jennifer Serravallo (available at registration).  Look for sign up in Fall 2018!

Registration and Continental Breakfast 8:00am-8:30am

Lunch provided