College to Host Conference for Writing Teachers

02/09/2016 

How can teachers take students beyond the conventional “read, discuss, submit” paper-writing process? How can they do more than merely assigning writing? What are some new, effective ways to use writing in their classroom?

These are just some of the questions that SUNY Cortland Writing Matters III will attempt to answer. This year’s conference, which takes place Saturday, March 19, will follow the theme “What Comes After the Writing Process?”

Teachers from all grade levels and content areas are encouraged to attend the event, which runs 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Corey Union on the College’s campus. Anyone who leads a conference session will earn free registration, which regularly costs $25 and includes lunch, coffee, technology and parking.

Online registration is open through the MyLearningPlan website.

“This is an excellent leadership opportunity for teachers who present interactive, writing-based lessons that their peers can adapt to their own classrooms,” said David Franke, a SUNY Cortland professor of English and the director of the Seven Valleys Writing Project. “The purpose is to celebrate writers and the many teachers of writing in our region.” 

Writing Matters sessions are built to be practical and participant-driven so that attendees can leave the conference with effective and engaging ways to use writing in their classrooms. All sessions encourage audience participation and reflective writing. Examples may include:

• New genres for classroom writing and storytelling;
• Ways to establish school-wide or go beyond school-wide writing projects;
• Subtle ways to “sneak in” writing that help students focus and reflect;
• Using digital writing media;
• Making writing collaborative;
• Establishing links between content areas (such as art and writing, literature and history, and so on); and
• Creative ways to have students write.

Presenters can lead solo or in a team of two. Roundtable discussions with four to six teachers also are encouraged, but a chair must be identified. Classroom teachers and writers make up the primary audience for all conference sessions.

Teachers interested in attending Writing Matters III can register online through the MyLearningPlan website. Session proposal submissions are due Monday, Feb. 15, and also can be submitted online. For more information, contact Franke at 607-753-5945 or email the Seven Valleys Writing Project.