Helping Middle Grade Struggling Writers Achieve Success
(Grades 3-6) / Flex Course
PDI Course Number: 19T02 / UCSD Course Number: EDUC41574
Course Description
Do you have students who cringe every time you assign a writing task and wish you knew ways to help them? Writing is hard work, especially for the student who struggles. This online course for teachers is designed for educators in grades 3-6 who want to help their struggling students with key writing skills. The course begins with a brief discussion of why students may struggle with writing as well as an exploration of writing standards. Then, several root causes of writing avoidance are shared. Teachers will learn how to differentiate between struggling writers and those who are learning disabled so appropriate remediations can be selected. Information on the writing process is shared together with suggestions for incorporating specific writing strategies such as the six traits, and writing across the curriculum. Teachers will also learn how to motivate their struggling writers so they become more interested and focused on the process. The strong connection between reading and writing will be explored. Additional strategies such as writer’s workshop, technology that promotes writing, and using quality literature as an inspiration for writing are shared. Finally, writing assessment is fully explored. By the end of this continuing education course, teachers will more fully understand how to best help their struggling writers. This online professional development course is worth 3 ⅓ semester units/5 quarter units (50 hours of training) from University of California San Diego (UCSD) Division of Extended Studies. For detailed information on receiving university credit for your PDI professional development course, visit our credit page.
Need help? Allison Wynne, PDI Program Coordinator, is ready to assist.
"Very valuable. From the very first unit, I was discovering so many things that I will be doing in my classroom next year. I wish I had been exposed to these ideas and resources years ago." - Tina Mischke
This course is worth 3 ⅓ semester units or 5 quarter units of graduate-level credit from UCSD.
You have up to one year from the date you are enrolled to complete a flex course.
View the online course syllabus.
Print our customized course approval form to share with your school district.
TOPICAL OUTLINE
UCSD Course Number: EDUC41574
Unit One
- Why Johnny Can't Write: A Brief History of Writing
- Writing Standards-What? There were writing standards?
- The Shift to Common Core State Standards
- Assignment #1: Write an autobiography
- Test #1
Unit Two
- Root Causes of Writing Avoidance
- Struggling or learning disabled?
- Differentiation is Key
- Assignment #2: Article reflection
- Test #2
Unit Three
- Creating Learning Communities within Your Classroom
- Motivating Your Struggling Writers
- Every Piece Needs a Purpose: Tips to Make Writing Meaningful for Your Students
- Writing = Risk: How to Foster Bravery and Stamina When Writing
- Assignment #3: Share your expertise
- Test #3
Unit Four
- Understanding the Writing Process
- The Six Traits of Writing
- Test #4
Unit Five
- The Reading-Writing Connection
- Using Literature to Teach Writing
- Writer's Workshop
- Test #5
Unit Six
- Writing Across the Curriculum
- The Gradual Release of Responsibility
- Assessing Student Writing
- Assignment #4: Create a writing activity for each of the six traits
- Assignment #5: Course Reflection
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