A School-Wide Approach to Teaching Writing

Lakewood Elementary School, Sunnyvale

The team of six teachers is working on a site-based shift to the way that writing is taught, with a particular emphasis on Common Core, differentiated opportunities for students, and equal access for English Language Learners.

To achieve this plan, the cohort used their LIGHT Awards funds to attend the Teachers College Writing Institute at Columbia University during the summer of 2014. Throughout the 2014-15 school year, team members are putting into practice what they learned at the Writer’s Workshop in their classrooms. At the end of the school year, the team will lead a workshop for all Lakewood Elementary teachers to share their Writer’s Workshop expertise with the goal of full implementation of this new curriculum the following school year.