Teaching Writing for Children

In this information age when effective communication is essential to everyone, we have learned how vital it is that children learn to write. Whatever careers they may choose to pursue, our grown-up children discover that writing is essential in order to make a living. We hope that somewhere along the line they have also discovered that writing makes an important contribution to their quality of life.

As we teach students to write, we expose them, on a consistent basis, to their higher-level thinking skills and in-depth observation capabilities that are needed in so many aspects of their lives. As children internalize the writing process, they learn creativity, problem solving, and reflection—abilities they can use over and over in their lifelong learning experiences.

In this course you will learn how to effectively teach children to write. You will learn the phases of the writing process and explore ways to implement them in a balanced writing program that includes poetic, expressive, and transactional modes of writing. This course is designed to help you organize a writing workshop in your classroom, conference one-on-one with students, and teach writing basics within the context of the students’ authentic work. Strategies for helping young writers use the language tools of spelling, handwriting, and vocabulary will also be presented.

Instructor:  Brad Wilcox
Dates:  June 20–21 (M–T)
Times:  8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Limited Enrollment: 50
Room/Building:  2287 CONF
Tuition:  $227
Textbook and Materials (required):  $47

Grading Criteria: Grades will be determined based on participation, attendance and in class assignments; demonstrated understanding of strategies and writing basics in various genres.