COMMUNICATING THE JOY OF WRITING AT BAKER SCHOOL

" I was able to learn a new approach to the teaching of writing,” enthuses Baker second grade teacher Jessica Kraemer, about a unique professional development opportunity that she and six other Brookline educators experienced this summer at the Writers' Express Program at Simmon's College.

Through a grant from the Brookline Education Foundation, these educators received two days of training in the Writers' Express approach, at the heart of which is the conviction that students enjoy writing once they recognize that they have something to say and are given the skills to express themselves powerfully.

Following the training, grant participants applied their new skills at the Writers' Express Summer Camp. Teachers and students alike benefited from this experience, with teachers receiving hands-on training and students receiving high-quality summer enrichment.

"The writing that was produced by the campers after they had a memorable, meaningful, hands-on experience (such as canoeing, rock climbing, dancing, etc.) was amazing and inspiring," notes Kraemer. "I plan to find ways to have my students write about different, hands-on experiences that we have in the classroom this year."

Devotion principal, Gerardo Martinez, a former ELA teacher, is effusive about the Writers' Express technique. " When I analyze written comments left by teachers for students, there is always a 'nice job' 'good work' comment that rarely is followed by clarity on how and, most importantly, where to improve a piece. Writers' Express makes explicit the importance of giving targeted written feedback which includes giving students revision assignments to improve the 'showing' goal in their writing."

The learning fostered by the grant will continue this school year as Writers' Express trainers observe grant participants in their classrooms and give feedback and support. Grant participants also will present what they have learned to other Brookline teachers during the November Professional Development Day, enabling even more Brookline educators to learn techniques that can lead to effective, engaging, and powerful writing by their students.