What kind of professional development does the Oklahoma State University Writing Project offer?

            The short answer is all kinds, to all grades, in all subjects.  Our teacher consultants design sessions, mini-institutes, camps, or labs to meet your needs.  We help teachers incorporate critical thinking via writing to learn.  We help teachers prepare students for state tests, design meaningful writing prompts, and integrate technology.  Some of our most popular sessions are:

• Integrating writing into all subjects.
• Defining and integrating multiple literacies.
• Preparing students for writing tests.
• Engaging teachers in study groups or teacher inquiry groups.
• Facilitating the development of a learning community among colleagues.
• Helping students revise and rethink.
• Using writing as a tool for learning.
• Supporting new teachers in schools or districts with a learning community and specific strategies. 
• Looking at student work to guide instruction.
• Student publishing.
• Alternative assessment, portfolios, and rubrics.
• Writing and literature.
• Teacher-designed writing camps for intersession or summer breaks.
• Writing retreats for teachers.
• Research gallery walks.

What is a Gallery Walk Session?

A gallery walk is an opportunity for participants to talk one-on-one with teachers engaged in teacher research/inquiry.  Each presenter uses a tri-fold to engage participants in individual topics of current research.  This is a great session for conferences, professional development days, or for kick-starting your faculty into thinking about reflective practice. 

Gallery Walk

Tired of educational gurus telling you how to magically transform your classroom?  Come meet real teachers who work in Oklahoma classrooms!  These OSU Writing Project Teacher Consultants invite you to a Research Gallery Walk.  You can stroll through at your own pace and engage in conversation with teachers who have inquiring minds.  Come find out about integrating technology, the benefits and best ways to incorporate sustained silent reading, and more answers to your everyday classroom questions.  You will find a room full of practical strategies researched by outstanding teachers.

What is a teacher-designed writing camp?

This workshop is known nationally as the Oklahoma State University Marshall Plan.  Funding is provided by the school or through grants, the school has obtained.  The design is simple: OSUWP teacher consultants facilitate a week-long institute for teachers at the site.  During this institute, teachers learn to integrate writing throughout their curriculum.  With a focus on reflective practice, teachers then design a camp for students the following week.  The limited number of students serves as a lab for the teachers to practice what they have just learned in the institute.  Teachers work in groups or pairs with small numbers of students; in this way they are able to help each other in a safe, controlled, environment before trying these new practices in their classrooms, alone.  Teachers also have opportunities to plan and reflect on the process at the beginning and end of each day.

Camps usually have a theme:  nature and science, arts and crafts, micro-society, reading; the sky is the limit.  Students pay a small fee, perhaps $5.00 for the week, to provide snacks and ensure commitment.  At the Junior High and High School levels, these might be called conferences and be used to help students with authentic writing purpose. 

The advantages of this model are numerous.  Teachers develop their skills and their relationships.  This carries into the next school year or term.  Faculty members become resources for other teachers on the staff.  Students who attend learn in a relaxing, fun atmosphere while getting more individual help. The camps model of professional development has been recognized at the national level as providing exceptional high-quality professional development focused on student achievement.

Contact Jo Stafford for more information.