When teachers undertake a new initiative such as the implementation of a school-wide writing plan it can be challenging. The best way to move into a new paradigm is to work as a team. Team-teach a lesson with a grade level colleague or sit in on each other’s lessons, debriefing afterwards. Form a grade-level team with the purpose of identifying thematic material across your curriculum that can provide vehicles for the application of skills. (For example, identify story critical characters, settings, and objects highlighted in your reading selections and use these as jumping off points for writing experiences. Use science and social studies themes for exposition.) Take turns creating lesson plans and share them. Have a colleague videotape your modeling and view this as a group.

For more information on how Data Teams & PLC's are embedded in the Empowering Writers approach click here

Another way to review, reinforce, and validate what you do in the classroom is through the use of the Empowering Writers DVD series Teaching Narrative Writing: Skills and Strategies in Action. This can also be used for powerful follow-up to training and as a means of self-evaluation.