Transforming Substance
into Significance

A K-12 INSTRUCTIONAL WRITING PROGRAM

Develop writers,
not just students with writing skills.

This is the best writing program I have learned in 40 years of teaching! (I have seen many!)

Here’s what the Summer 2010 Writer’s Stylus Basic Course participants said:

In what ways has Writer’s Stylus energized you, encouraging your own learning, growth, and improvement?

1. I’ve rethought sentence structure; less can be more.
   

2. This course has encouraged me; I realize I am able to write!
   

3. It gives me a plan to follow—a road map to fit it all in well.
   

4. Writing has always been difficult. This course has provided a means to begin the writing process and continue with the revision process in a much less daunting way.
   

5. It has really helped me organize my thinking.
   

6. Writer’s Stylus has motivated me to explore some of the ideas I have put off tackling for years. It has encouraged me to see I do have something important to say through my writing.
   

7. It has given me the tools I need to improve my writing as well as my students’ writing.
   

8. I am excited that my writing has improved. With great anticipation I look forward to applying the principles in PE.
   

9. I have learned so much about my own writing. I am excited to share this program with my students.
   

10. The encouraging tone of each session motivated me to try hard and value the input of my colleagues.
    

What new ideas have you gained from the Writer’s Stylus course?

1. Giving students examples of great writing (Acquaintance & Analysis)
   

2. Mechanics are a prequel to the “main event” of writing instruction.
   

3. Letting the children say what they need to say with their own revised flair
   

4. Show, don’t just tell
   

5. Coaching is the most important part to teaching writing, and encouragement should be used throughout.
   

6. Improvement occurs in waves
   

7. I like the central question and the flexibility of the rubrics.
   

8. Acquaintance & Analysis…is a way to help students not only write more effectively, but also to read more effectively.
   

9. I am struck by the thought of trusting the reader to understand my ideas instead of supplying absolutely every detail possible.
   

10. The idea of examining more clearly macro/micro elements in anyone’s writing
    

11. I am so ready to try Writing on Demand in my classroom. I can envision extreme benefits.
    

12. The writing process is never finished. There is always room/ways to improve writing—and short sentences, even fragments are OK!
    

How does Writer’s Stylus fit with your organization’s vision, values,and purpose?

1. We are educating the future leaders of our country. This fits in every way.
   

2. The purpose of any teacher is to impart not just knowledge but understanding. Having students write forces greater comprehension.
   

3. Raising the bar by getting students to think!…improving their impact on society by being better writers/communicators.
   

4. We want our students to write to think, to write to learn, and to write to influence others.
   

5. Creating better learners to become better leaders.
   

6. 
   

In what ways do you plan to follow through to improve your instruction and your students’ learning?

1. I will definitely introduce the steps of writing, revision, coaching with my first grade students.
   

2. Give my students more time to work with their stories instead of having them finish in one day.
   

3. I can’t wait to coach and introduce writing to my kindergarten students in this way.
   

4. Now I have a place to begin and I don’t feel so overwhelmed with finishing the grammar textbook.
   

5. Practice writing myself and improving
   

6. I will be allowing more time for coaching and revision
   

7. Writer’s Stylus will make my teaching of writing more intentional.
   

8. I plan on using the macro/micro checklists with my students. I do not teach a content area, but I feel more confident in being able to coach a student.
   

9. I am planning to read writers on art so I have a good collection to show my students.
   

10. I will be requiring my students to journal about content and will use writing for unit assessment (PE).
    

What additional services and/or tools could Clerestory Learning provide that would assist you and/your organization in successfully implementing Writer’s Stylus?

1. I think the idea of publishing great examples of student writing would be helpful not only to teachers, but students.
   

What additional thoughts regarding your Writer’s Stylus course experience would you like us to know?

1. [Kevin] is an amazing and enthusiastic presenter—stimulates me to want to excel.
   

2. I have not enjoyed writing until now. I have the tools I need to be successful. I have gained confidence.
   

3. My dad is a writer and editor, and all that he has taught me since childhood has been echoed this week. GREAT STUFF!
   

4. Thank you for helping me see the value of coaching and modeling.
   

5. This course has sparked some new ideas for my personal writing. I am inspired to write!
   

6. It gave me a fresh perspective…there are ways it changed me and it will therefore change the way I teach. This will result in changed students.