ONLINE: Developing Written Expression

Online Learning

Session 1 Monday 12th August 2024, 1.00pm-4.30pm NZST

Session 2 Thursday 15th August 2024, 1.00pm-4.30pm NZST 

Sessions will be live (1.00-4.30pm NZST) and will not be recorded, or available for later viewing.

Online Learning

This series of two 3.5-hour online training modules focuses on helping literacy interventionists (SLTs/SPs, Teachers, Educational Psychologists, and Tutors) apply models of writing to the assessment and teaching of written expression. Single registration cost is for each individual, not per site. Each person must register and attendance is required for both sessions. Zoom will be used to deliver the training with “meeting room” details emailed to participants prior to each module. You will need to download Zoom software to your computer. A webcam and inbuilt microphone on your computer is also preferable so you can fully participate.

Intended Participants

This online Continuing Professional Development (CPD) event is intended for Speech-Language Therapists working in the field of literacy, Teachers in mainstream as well as Learning Support, Educational Psychologists and Tutors.

Readings and Resources

Pre-readings will be emailed to participants 2 weeks prior to the workshop.

Learning Objectives

Following this event participants will:

• Understand and apply models of writing to the assessment and teaching of written expression – with specific reference to Sedita’s Writing Rope (2019)
• Be able to select suitable assessment tools for evaluation of written expression
• Learn about the macrostructures / consistent patterns of organisation underpinning different text types (narrative and expository)
• Learn about the microstructures / language devices underpinning different text types - focusing on verb elaboration within narratives and noun elaboration within expository texts.
• Learn how to embed word, phrase, sentence and text level goals for individual, small group and whole class intervention
• Be able to select evidenced-based principles, practices and programs for effective written language instruction
• Learn how to generate models texts using AI

Content and Format

The online workshop will centre on the teaching of written expression in students from Year 3 to Year 9; it will showcase the organisational structures and language devices specific to both narrative (verbs, adverbs, imagery) as well as expository texts (noun elaboration). The central focus will be on teaching at sentence level via a context specific approach through model texts. Assessment tools and rubrics will be showcased and goals for instruction (individual / group and whole-class) will be addressed. Computer-based programs used for evaluative purposes will be intruduced and time will be devoted to the use of scripted programs as well as AI generated model texts. Problem-based clinical activities will be used to consolidate the discussion throughout the workshop. Intervention principles will emphasise explicit and systematic instruction as well as the response to intervention model. At a clinical level, participants will learn how to apply these principles in order to develop a tailored intervention within a variety of service delivery frameworks.

About Jenny Baker

Jenny Baker is a Speech Pathologist who has been working in the areas of spelling and written expression for over 40 years. She is a Co-Director of Fremantle Speech Pathology Services, a busy private practice in Fremantle that works almost exclusively with school aged children. Jenny is involved in the development of literacy programs across several metropolitan primary schools where she collaborates with teachers to develop evidence-based scopes and sequences; she also teaches writing at Tier 1 level across the grades.