Learning to teach writing effectively is one of the most powerful investments teachers can make in improving their instruction. In parts one and two of this training methods series, we featured video training through individual streaming and group video training facilitated by your school's administrator. In this installment, we describe a live workshop option that includes teacher training materials and provides the opportunity for educators from anywhere in the United States and abroad to receive training directly from IEW’s Implementation Coach.
How does it work?
The Virtual Teaching Writing: Structure and Style workshop is offered each summer, presented over three days in 4.5-hour sessions. IEW Implementation Coach Jeff Nease guides participants through the Teaching Writing: Structure and Style seminar and facilitates the practicum assignments. During the live-streamed presentation, participants can ask questions using the chat feature while IEW’s Educational Consultants answer in real time.
Who should attend the Virtual Teaching Writing: Structure and Style workshop?
- schools without a budget for live, on-site professional development
- schools that are already implementing Structure and Style in a few classrooms or school-wide but have new teachers to train
- schools of any size that would like to pilot Structure and Style with a few teachers or grade levels
- individual teachers and administrators who are interested in learning the Structure and Style method before introducing it to their schools
- hybrid schoolteachers
- Exceptional Student Education (ESE) and English Language Learner (ELL) specialists
- curriculum coordinators and instructional coaches
- private tutors
What are the benefits of this option?
- Virtual training provides live, interactive instruction from the comfort of home.
- It offers an additional layer of accountability and support in completing the practicum assignments for each unit.
- Once the workshop has ended each day, the link you used to join will become the link to watch the recording. If you miss part of a session or need to review a portion of the seminar, you have access to each day’s recording.
What are the challenges of this option?
- Participants need a reliable internet connection.
- Participants must allocate three days, generally during the first week of August, to participate in the workshop.
What are practicum assignments, and why are they important?
The best way to master the Structure and Style method is to practice it. During the live presentation, participants are asked to complete practicum assignments—one or more exercises for each unit, intentionally designed to help participants better understand the method before they teach it to their students. Some assignments are completed together during the workshop while others are started in the workshop and finished independently.
The practicum assignments are intended to give teachers a greater appreciation of and empathy for what their students will experience as they learn the methodology. This improves classroom instruction tremendously. We have observed that when teachers work through each structural model themselves, they understand how each unit functions and are better prepared to model the process clearly and effectively to their students.
Additionally, completing the practicum assignments furnishes firsthand experience in the progression of the stylistic techniques, provides a deeper understanding of the Structure and Style method, and contributes significantly to teaching the method with fidelity. For these reasons, Jeff Nease and our Educational Consultants focus on providing more time and support during the workshop for the completion of the practicum assignments.
What materials are included with the registration?
Each participant will receive the Teaching Writing: Structure and Style®, Third Edition Forever Streaming Seminar with free standard domestic shipping to their home. These materials include the Seminar Workbook, a copy of Strengthening Structure: Models for Teaching IEW Structural Units, a Portable Walls™ for Structure and Style® Students, and an activation card for streaming access to the Teaching Writing: Structure and Style videos and one year of IEW’s Premium Membership. After the seminar, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion and a $75 coupon code to apply toward the Accreditation Program. For more information or to register for this year’s virtual workshop, visit IEW.com/Schools/vtwss.
To speak with a member of our Schools Department Team about the workshop, the materials, or piloting Structure and Style in your classroom or school, call 800.856.5815. If you are already working with one of our Educational Consultants, feel free to contact him or her directly.
Sign up for IEW’s Schools Department e-newsletter to receive notifications and information about products and resources, monthly webinars, and other IEW events.
Explore additional blogs in the Teacher Training Method Options series.
Video Training through Individual Streaming
Video Training as a Group
Live On-Site Professional Development
Live On-Site Professional Development: Demonstration and Coaching Day
Live On-Site Professional Development: Observation and Coaching Day
Live On-Site Professional Development: Review and Refinement Day
by Jean Nichols
