Wondrous Words: Igniting Children’s Passion, Purpose, and Skills for Writing
Unlock the full potential of your writing curriculum by weaving in student-centered inquiry and craft study to engage and empower every student as a writer.
Join us for this two-day, hands-on workshop where you’ll strengthen your ability to read like a writer and learn how to use mentor texts to help students expand their repertoire of craft moves, grow their identities as writers, and deepen their understanding of writing as a meaningful act.
- Classroom Teachers K-6
- iteracy Coaches/Teacher Leaders
What if writing became the most joyful and meaningful part of your students’ school day? In this two-day workshop, you’ll explore the reimagined edition of Wondrous Words and discover how studying powerful mentor texts can spark students’ passion, purpose, and skill as writers.
Together, we’ll closely examine mentor texts to notice and name the craft techniques writers use across genres—and explore how to bring these discoveries into your classroom through strengths-based, culturally sustaining practices. You’ll leave with practical, flexible teaching approaches that build students’ confidence, deepen their understanding of writing as a meaningful act, and support your district’s writing standards.
Outcomes:
Participants will:
- Develop the habit of mind to read like a writer
- Study a range of mentor texts to identify craft moves that writers make related to word choice and text structure
- Learn how to plan and facilitate organized inquiry that helps students transfer craft into their own writing
- Build a repertoire of language prompts and teaching moves that support intentional decision-making in writing and drawing
- Leave with a curated list of mentor texts you can use right away to enhance your writing curriculum
- Gain practical strategies to enrich and extend your existing writing curriculum through student-centered craft study
Cynthia Downend, Director, Literacy Programs
Cynthia Downend has worked at the Center for Literacy Teaching and Instructional Leadership for over 15 years, serving in the roles of a trainer at the Center and Associate Director of Primary Literacy Programs before currently serving as the Director of Literacy Programs.
Cynthia has worked with many school districts across the United States to train and develop district level literacy staff developers, literacy coaches, classroom teachers, literacy interventionists and school administrators on a variety of topics related to improving literacy instruction.
Prior to her work at Lesley University, Cynthia held positions as a literacy coach, Reading Recovery teacher, and classroom teacher for over 20 years working in a variety of school settings including urban, suburban, and international schools.
Linda Murphy, Associate Director, Literacy Programs
Linda has worked in school districts in New York in a variety of roles and settings. Prior to her joining the center at Lesley University, Linda held positions as a principal of an intermediate school, a Director of English Language Arts, Social Studies and Reading, a district trainer for Literacy Collaborative Intermediate, a Reading Recovery Teacher Leader and a classroom teacher. Linda holds licenses in Elementary Education and School District Administration.
Required Materials (Text included in cost)
- Ray, K.W., & Villalba, S. (2025). Wondrous words: Reimagining writers and writing in the elementary classroom. National Council Teachers of English.
Cancellation Deadline & Refund Policies
You have until one week before the first day of this offering to cancel your registration. The cancellation deadline is Tuesday, June 23, 2026 and you will be charged a $50 cancellation fee. If you request a cancellation after the deadline, you will not be issued a refund. Substitution requests are acceptable. Please email centerliteracyteaching@lesley.edu if you have a cancellation or substitution request.
Registration Deadline
The registration deadline is 5pm EST on June 26, 2026.
Requirements for Participation
After the training, you will receive a certificate of attendance for your participation. To receive a complete certificate, participation during the specified times is required. Additional work may be assigned to meet the professional development hours.
In-Person at Lesley University or Virtual Attendance
You may choose to attend this training in-person at Lesley University or virtually in real time. Should any of the conditions change and it is determined the training will be offered virtually only, you will be notified as soon as possible. We recommend you contact us before reserving travel and lodging.
If you choose to attend in-person, the training room will have Lesley University’s HyFlex Classroom Technology to support an engaging learning environment for in-person and virtual participants. If you have questions about in-person or virtual attendance, please email us at centerliteracyteaching@lesley.edu.
On-Site Professional Development
We can deliver this training to your school/district. This option can be delivered virtually or in-person for a group within your school/district. For detailed costs, complete our online form to request this training for your school/district and we will contact you.
Interested in professional learning at your school or district? Schedule a meeting with one of our faculty trainers.
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