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Here’s a basic plan to help your study groups during the
first few months they use CraftPlus. Remember that
everyone will watch Videos 1 and 2 first and read parts
of the Curriculum Guide and the professional books.
After that your study group can follow the suggested
sequence or make adjustments as needed.
This format assumes a twice-a-month study group meeting
that lasts 45 to 60 minutes. This schedule gives you time
to read and try out mini-lessons before the next meeting.
It is usually best to watch only one or two video segments
at a time. Allow time to discuss the contents, share
successes and challenges, and plan your next lessons. If
your study group meets for less than 45 minutes, alternate
so that you watch and discuss a video segment at one
meeting and share successes and challenges and plan
lessons in another. Your facilitator will help you
schedule and maintain your study groups.
Section 2 of the Curriculum Guide contains study group
discussion points cross-referenced with your professional
books. Content for the program visuals is included, too.
Visuals you see on the videos are on the CD as presented,
ready for use as overheads, student handouts, or
references for your Teacher Writing Notebook. Most
teachers find it is beneficial to read the professional
book references prior to viewing the video.
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Kick-off
Meeting |
Attend the Kick-off
to receive materials, discuss the
curriculum and program implementation, and form study
groups. Note: Some schools use fall pre-planning to
watch the first two videos.
On your own…
Become familiar with your professional book
and the Curriculum Guide, focusing on Section 1. |
|
First Study Group
Meeting
|
On your own, read…
·
K-8 Teachers-Referenced pages from your
professional book(s) for Video 1
·
K-8 Teachers-“How to Teach a Target
Skill” and “Teaching with Picture Prompted Writing” in
Section 1.
In the study
group…
·
View Video 1, “A Writing Curriculum and
How to Deliver the Skills.”
·
Use Discussion Points from Section 2 to
guide discussion.
·
Plan and/or share pre-assessments of
student writing. See Student Assessment Forms in
“Supporting Templates and Forms,” in this section.
|
|
Second Study Group
Meeting
|
On your own, read…
·
K-8 Teachers: Referenced pages from your
professional book(s) for Video 2.
·
2-8 Teachers: “How to Plan for and How
to Teach with Genre Blocks” in this section.
In the study group…
·
Watch Video 2, “How to Teach a
Writing-Craft Target Skill.”
·
Use Discussion Points from Section 2 to
guide discussion.
·
Plan and/or share student writing
pre-assessments.
·
Plan and/or share lessons you taught or
will teach.
·
Select which video you will view next
(See Third Study Group entry)
·
If not already done, set regular meeting
time for your study group.
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