The Writing Program’s
TEACHER TRAINING
Orientation Schedule
Fall 2014
University of Massachusetts Amherst
*Please be sure to bring Other Words: A Writer’s Reader, The Handbook for Instructors, and
The Student Writing Anthology everyday. Please read a “Small Place” by Jamaica Kincaid from
Other Words for Monday.
MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2014 - Berkshire Dining Commons
8:30-9:00
9:00-10:15
Breakfast
Welcome
Introduction to Orientation—Peggy Woods
Introduction Exercise – Resource Center Mentors
10:15-10:30
10:30-11:00
Coffee Break
Introduction to UMass First Year Students – Peggy Woods
11:00-11:30
What We Talk About When We Talk About Writing—Haivan Hoang
Philosophy of Writing
11:30-12:45
Lunch with Course Directors & Resource Center Mentor
12:45-2:00
Beginning Unit 1: Inquiring into Self – Course Directors/Resource Center Mentors
Look at possible ways of developing Unit 1
Discuss ways of constructing Assignment Sheet
Developing Generative Writing
Introduction to the Writing Process – Peggy Woods
2:00-2:15
2:15 -3:15
3:15-3:30
Overview of Classroom Practices – Anne Bello & Nirmala Iswari
Discuss Inclusive Classroom Practices
Model Reading as Generative
Introduction to Resource Center Database & WP Website – Shastri Akella
Assignment: 1 page draft of Unit 1(please bring hard-copy)
Draft of “Inquiring into Self” Assignment Sheet
Sign up for Moodle Page through Spire
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TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014 - Berkshire Dining Commons
8:30-9:00
Breakfast
9:00-9:15
The Role of Revision in College Writing – Peggy Woods
9:15-10:00
Reading and Revision – Pat Zukowski & Shastri Akella
10:00-10:15
Coffee Break
10:15-11:15
Using Peer Review and Reflection for Revision – Haivan Hoang & Catherine Elliott
11:15-12:00
Using Revision Activities – Anna Rita Napoleone & Chris Edwards
12:00-1:00
Lunch Break
1:00-3:00
Teacher Response & Revision— Anne Bello, Peggy Woods & Ryan Shea
3:15-6:00pm
Human Resource Session
Session to fill out forms related to payroll
Assignment: Read Student Portfolios for “Evaluating Student Work” session.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014 - Berkshire Dining Commons
8:30-9:00
Breakfast
9:00-10:00
The Role of Grammar & Copyediting— Donna LeCourt & Nirmala Iswari
10:00-11:00
Multilingual Writers in College Writing— Rebecca Lorimer Leonard
11:00-11:15
Presentation from GEO
11:15-11:30
Coffee Break
11:30-12:30
Evaluation of Student Work— Haivan Hoang & Peggy Woods
12:30-1:30
Lunch Break
1:30-2:45
Evaluation of Student Work— Haivan Hoang & Peggy Woods
2:45-3:15
How to Use Moodle in College Writing – Shastri Akella
Assignment: Review “Planning Your Course” & “Chart: Goals for College Writing: Unit
I-V” in Handbook for Instructors
Bring: Revised Inquiring Into Self Unit Assignment Sheet
Draft of Grading Criteria for Inquiring into Self
Draft of One possible activity that works towards one of the goals/objectives
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2014- CALIPARI ROOM IN THE W.E.B. DUBOIS
LIBRARY/ BERKSHIRE DINING COMMONS
9:00-10:00
Technology Session – Using Moodle – Shastri Akella
10:00-10:15
Presentation from Writing Center
10:15-11:45
Lesson Planning Workshop for Inquiring into Self – Course Directors/Resource
Center Mentors
11:45 – 1:00
Lunch – Return to Berkshire Dining Commons
1:00-2:15
Your Role & Your Students’ Role – Haivan Hoang
Our Role & Your Role
2:15-2:30
Coffee Break
2:30-3:15
What We Talk About When We Talk About Writing–Haivan Hoang
The Arc of College Writing – Resource Center Mentors
3:15-3:30
Wrap up and Orientation evaluations
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014
Writing Program General Meeting
Lunch 12:30-1:00pm
General Meeting 1:00 – 3:00pm
Location: Herter 231
All members of the Writing Program are required to attend the General Meeting. We will begin
with lunch and conclude with a group photo. This is the only time during the semester that we
gather as a program. Important information concerning the curriculum, Writing Program
policies, and other information crucial to the semester is discussed.
UMass Teaching Assistant Orientation – Friday, August 29, 2014
You are invited to attend a voluntary one-day Teaching Assistant Orientation (TAO) organized
by the University’s Center for Teaching under the auspices of the Provost’s Office and the
Graduate School. Sessions begin at 8:45am and continue until 12:30pm. All session will be held
at the Campus Cetner. The orientation gives a general overview of teaching at UMass as well as
workshops on such things as managing the first day of class, balancing work, studies, and life,
and leading effective discussions. The morning provides the opportunity to meet and talk to
graduate student teachers from other departments of the university. For more information
regarding sessions and to register go to: http://www.umass.edu/ctfd/teaching/ta_support.shtml
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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2014
Course Director Groups
Your first course director meeting will be September 2nd 10:00-11:15am. You will receive your
Course Director assignments at Orientation
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Training Workshops
The following workshops are part of the required teacher-training program for new teachers;
others are welcome. They will be held every other Tuesday from 10:00-11:15. The room has
yet to be scheduled.
Tuesday, September 9 – Interacting with Texts
Tuesday, September 23– Adding to the Conversation
Overview & Introduction to Library Resources
Tuesday, October 7 – Adding to the Conversation
Tuesday, October 21 – Designing your TBA Unit
Tuesday, November 4 – Style & Grammar
Tuesday, November 18 – Final Reflection
Tuesday, December 2 – Wrap Up & Evaluations
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