Write for Texas 2017 booklet77

REGION 7 EDUCATION SERVICE CENTER PRESENTS

WRITE FOR TEX AS SUMMER INSTITUTE 2017

Agenda

8:30 AM - 8:45 AM Opening, Introductions, Overview of the Day

8:45 AM - 11:30 AM Gretchen Bernabei, Featured Speaker

The Story of My Thinking

11:30 AM - 11:45 AM Break - Schlotzsky’s Box Lunches Served
1 1:45 AM - 12:30 PM Panel D iscus sion

Dr. Craig Wilcox, Director of Curriculum and Special Programs

New Summerfield ISD
Suzanne Blakeley, Writing Coach
Region 7 ESC
Sandra Hall, Writing Coach
Region 7 ESC
Pam Lee, Writing Coach
Region 7 ESC

12:30 PM - 12:45 PM Break
12:45 PM - 3:30 PM Gretchen Bernabei, Featured Speaker

Text Structures from the Masters

Region 7 would like to express our sincere appreciation to our Write for Texas writing coaches:
Suzanne Blakeley, Sandra Hall, and Pam Lee.

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WRITE FOR TEX AS SUMMER INSTITUTE 2017

Welcome

Welcome to Write for Texas 2017 Summer Institute!

We are excited that you are here today to learn more about instructional practices that can strengthen your
writing program! We have designed for you a full day of professional development featuring nationally
recognized author and presenter, Gretchen Bernabei. The day is divided into morning and afternoon sessions
that feature two of Gretchen’s books. The morning will center around The Story of My Thinking, and the
content will offer multiple entry points for teachers to lead students into producing well-crafted expository
pieces. The afternoon will focus on the book, Text Structures from the Masters, and how to use powerful
historical documents as a springboard for reading and writing instruction.
Write for Texas is designed to help all teachers provide opportunities for students to read, write, and discuss
a wide variety of genres throughout the school year. The Write for Texas collection of online resources is
available to all secondary English language arts and reading and content area teachers to support effective
writing instruction. The resources include critical background knowledge, activities, and videos that relate
to the guiding principles of effective writing instruction. To access the resources and materials, visit http://
writefortexas.org.
The Write for Texas Summer Institute is made possible to Region 7 teachers through the Write for Texas
Initiative.
Write for Texas is a partnership among the Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk (MCPER),
Texas Education Agency (TEA), and the Institute for Public School Initiatives (IPSI).
We hope you enjoy the Region 7 Write for Texas Institute!
Warm Regards,
The Region 7 Write for Texas Team
Betty Steele, Associate Director, Curriculum Services
Rhonda McCallie, Coordinator, Curriculum Services
Carmen Delgado, Coordinator, Federal Programs
Dee Jordan, Secondary ELA Specialist
Angela Venters, Elementary ELA Specialist
Jackie Reavis, Special Education Specialist
Wendy Marshall, Administrative Secretary

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WRITE FOR TEX AS SUMMER INSTITUTE 2017

Gretchen Bernabei

Gretchen Bernabei has taught middle school and
high school for 32 years. After earning her B.A. at
Southwest Texas State University, she has devoted
her professional life to learning, developing, and
sharing best practices, particularly through the
National Writing Projects. A sought-after speaker,
Gretchen has authored several books, including the
two pieces studied today.
For her work, NCTE honored her with the James
Moffett Award in 2010.
She currently lives with her husband and two
children in San Antonio, TX.
The morning will be guided by the book, The Story of My Thinking, and the
content will offer multiple entry points for teachers to lead students into producing
well-crafted expository pieces. The afternoon session will focus on the book,
Text Structures from the Masters, and how to use powerful historical documents
as a springboard for reading and writing instruction.
Participants will learn writing activities for leading students into producing
well-crafted expository pieces. They will also learn how to integrate ELAR with
Social Studies and History resources for powerful reading and writing instruction.

For More Information about Gretchen Bernabei, visit her website at www.trailofbreadcrumbs.net

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WRITE FOR TEX AS SUMMER INSTITUTE 2017

Gretchen's Work

Gretchen Bernabei and Jennifer Koppe provide 50 short
texts by famous Americans who put pen to paper driven by

what Peter Elbow described as “an itch” to say something.
The book includes Sojourner Truth’s Speech (itch: join a

heated debate), FDR’s Pearl Harbor message (itch: pick up
the pieces), JFK’s inaugural address (itch: give a pep talk)
. . . along with 47 more pieces and their explicit purposes.
By examining the structure of these mentor texts, students
suddenly see that the itch is something they have in their

own lives, too! And the 50 companion lessons invite
students to use the text structure of each of the famous

documents to express that itch.
In their signature easy-to-implement style, Gretchen
Bernabei and Dorothy Hall offer new options for teaching
expository writing that more realistically match the way
readers actually think and writers actually write. While
many state assessments ask students to write about their
opinions, the goal in The Story of My Thinking is to help
teachers take their kids through the various stages of the
writing process (from generating ideas to publication) in
a way that breaks down the barrier between “academic”
writing and “creative” writing and helps kids produce
vibrant nonfiction with voice and conviction.

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WRITE FOR TEX AS SUMMER INSTITUTE 2017

Notes

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WRITE FOR TEX AS SUMMER INSTITUTE 2017

Guiding Principles

1. Use writing and reading to support student
learning in all content areas.
2. Teach students the thinking skills, processes,
and knowledge needed to write effectively.
3. Teach students skills for writing effective
sentences in order to create coherent texts.
4. Provide extra assistance and instruction to
students who experience difficulty learning
to write.

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