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A week long training with Darla Wood Walters for teachers in the Kindergarten 5 to Grade 2 classroom at Saipoyi Community and Aahsaopi Elementary Schools saw 13 classroom teachers and their students participate in a demonstration of writing that was 'loaded with learning."  in the demonstration, Darla Wood Walters modeled:  introducing and reinforcing the concepts of print, engaging students in phonemic awareness, use of phonics, revising/ editing, and revising.  Teachers saw a well-skilled and passionate approach to modeling this method.  She used a non-fiction pop up book as the "starter."  As the process unfolded, she modeled how to extract details for students to draw a picture for the words they will use in the writing.   The teaching model also demonstrated various strategies  to keep the students fully engaged.  

This workshop was a follow-up to the one held this Spring.  Using her "Developing Writer's Workshop" booklet (Rethinking Literacy) staff were already well-informed of the five components:  model the mini-lesson, the importance of daily writing, conferencing as the heart of the model, publishing the students quality writing to share with classmates, family and friends.  Finally, a teacher directed special project reinforces and allows the student to practice the writing skills and strategies they have learned.  

Students in the K5-grade 2 classrooms will be practicing daily writing as teachers practice this model.   A second week long in class visits will occur in January.  At that time each teacher will have the opportunity to demonstrate to Darla and she will provide feedback and further demonstration.  This workshop will concentrate on the 1-1 students conferencing component.    In a survey of the teaching staff, it is apparent this week long demonstration, 1-1 debriefing, and whole group debriefing was time well spent.   Students were fully engaged and participated in this process.  Teachers are eager to try the method and will have the opportunity to bring forth concerns through e-mail conferencing with Darla.  

This method is proven to increase both reading and writing skills, which are crucial to success in literacy in all subject areas.  

To learn more about Darla Wood Walters, the following is provided with a link to the site at Bureau of Educational Research (BER)