Staff Development Seminars

Improving Student Performance by Strengthening Writing Instruction, Grades 3-12

IF your students...

• Fail to supply supportive details
• Lump all their ideas into one huge paragraph
• Begin their papers by writing "I am going to write about penguins in this composition" instead of pizzazz, catchy opening that arouses reader interest
• End their compositions with "And that is why I like penguins. The End."
• Repeat the same sentence beginnings throughout their composition, e.g. The, The, The, and then, and then, I, I, etc.
• Shift point of view from first person to second person (you know) back to first person
• Use weak verbs, e.g., is, is, is, are, was, gots, gonna, said, said, said, etc.
• Shift verb tenses from past tense to present tense back to past tense
• Write fragments and run-on sentences
• Use boring words (word choice)
• Think that revision means dotting i's and crossing t's

We WILL provide practical solutions.

At this Seminar You Will Learn How To...

• Develop a writer's vocabulary that can be used by your entire staff in teaching the writing process, especially in helping students revise a first draft.
• Construct grading sheets (rubrics) that will strengthen your instruction and evaluation of student writing.
• Design individual brainstorming sheets (graphic organizers/think sheets) to help students focus on content and organization.
• Implement a practical strategy for teaching writers how to analyze and revise a first draft.... You'll love it - guaranteed!
• Improve student awareness of common writing problems, e.g., fragments and run-ons.
• Provide strategies for helping students work with each other in peer evaluation.

About the Presenter

Herb Hrebic is an experienced staff development trainer and author of writing textbooks. A frequent presenter at conferences and consultant to school districts throughout the country, Herb is known for his highly motivational and practical presentations. These proven techniques can be immediately applied in the classroom.

For rate information or to schedule Herb to present at your school or district, call our toll free number at 800-253-5737.