Intentional Teaching in a Writers’ Workshop for Grades K-8
Learn how to develop students’ knowledge, passion, and proficiency for writing.
In this 8-week online course, you’ll examine how to plan and teach effective minilessons, lead small groups, and confer with individual writers—including multilingual learners. Deepen your understanding of genre, craft, and conventions by engaging in your own writing process as a teacher-writer. Ideal for educators currently working with K–8 students.
- Classroom Teachers & Interventionists
- Course: EEDUC 6176-80
- Fees are subject to change
Ready to bring energy and purpose to your writing instruction? This dynamic, online course helps K–8 teachers build students’ understanding of the writing process through whole group minilessons, small group instruction, and individual conferring—including strategies that support multilingual learners. You’ll examine the writing process and develop your knowledge of genre, craft, and conventions by engaging in the process of “teachers as writers.”
By the end of the course you will:
- Understand foundational principles and effective practices in writing instruction
- Examine how students develop as writers over time
- Use student work to assess growth and plan targeted instruction
- Create focus lessons on craft, conventions, and genre using mentor texts
- Evaluate and adapt your school’s writing curriculum to meet student needs and grade-level goals
- Experience the writing process firsthand to strengthen your teaching
To get the most out of this course, you’ll need access to a K–8 classroom for completing practical assignments.
Nikki Drury, Literacy Trainer
Nikki worked as a literacy coach and teacher in public school for many years before joining the Center for Reading Recovery and Literacy Collaborative as an Intermediate Trainer. She has experience as a primary and intermediate classroom teacher and literacy instructional coach at the intermediate level. Over the years, she has worked with students, educators, and administrators to improve literacy outcomes.
This option must be taken for 3 graduate credits. Take the course individually or as an elective in our 18-credit Online Graduate Certificate in Developing Literacy Expertise Through Responsive Classroom Teaching.
Required Texts
You are responsible for purchasing/having access to the following professional texts for this course:
- Anderson, C. & Glover, M. (2024). How to become a better writing teacher. Heinemann.
- Bomer, K. & Arens, C. (2020). A teacher’s guide to writing workshop essentials: Time, choice, response, grades K-5. Heinemann.
- Fletcher, R. (1996). A writer’s notebook: Unlocking the writer within you. Harper.
- Pinnell, G.S. & Fountas, I.C. (2017). The Fountas & Pinnell literacy continuum: A tool for assessment, planning, and teaching. Heinemann. (Expanded or Second edition)
Interested in professional learning at your school or district? Schedule a meeting with one of our faculty trainers.
Leading for Literacy: What Every School Leader Needs to Know
In this 4-day institute for school principals and administrators, learn how to support literacy teaching in grades K–6. Learn how to improve student literacy outcomes by developing a coherent vision for literacy and a vibrant school culture that supports teamwork and continuous professional learning.
Linking Assessment to Teaching: Reading, Writing & Word Study
In this 8-week online course, you’ll develop the skills to systematically observe and analyze students’ reading, writing, and word-solving behaviors.
Acquiring Coaching and Teacher Leadership Expertise
Learn how to develop your facilitation skills and use of language to support the literacy instruction of colleagues.