Kākau Mea Nui (Writing Matters) Project
Writing Process PDE 3 Course
Syllabus – 2012/2013
Instructor
Phone
Email
Meghan Whitfield-O’Brien
(501) 551-7033
mxwhitfield@gmail.com
Instructor
Phone
Email
Sara Podlewski
(808) 681-9773
saraipod@hawaii.edu
Course Description
What is the writing process? What are the writing traits? How can the writing process and writing traits
inform current instruction and support literacy development? These are just a few of the questions we
will address in the Kakau Mea Nui – Writing Process PDE 3 course this year. The purpose of this course
is to provide teachers with the knowledge and skills necessary to implement the writing process and
develop the writing traits. Based on a collaborative writing theory, this course will model best practice
strategies for incorporating a process-based approach to writing and ways to differentiate writing
instruction to for diverse learners.
Course Objectives
After taking this course, participants will be able to…
 Explain the writing process and the writing traits.
 Explain how a process-based approach improves the quality of student writing.
 Incorporate research-based strategies in writing instruction.
 Differentiate the writing strategies and activities for diverse learners.
 Design and employ rubrics to evaluate student writing.
Course Website – www.kakaumeanui.wordpress.com
Participants may use the course website to download course materials and check for class updates.
Participants are encouraged to use the site’s discussion boards to share helpful links, resources, and
ideas between class meetings. The website is meant to supplement course activities; therefore,
participation in the discussion boards is not a course requirement.
Required Texts
Kindergarten – 2nd Grade Teachers
Culham, Ruth. 6+1 Traits of Writing: The Complete Guide for the Primary Grades. New York: Scholastic,
2005. Print.
3rd – 8th Grade Teachers
Culham, Ruth. 6+1 Traits of Writing: The Complete Guide for Grades 3 and Up. New York: Scholastic,
2003. Print.
In addition to short readings from the required text, the instructors will provide supplementary articles
and handouts as the course progresses.
Required Materials
Please bring the following materials to each class meeting:
 Notebook or paper
 Pen or pencil
 Copies of assigned reading and course textbook
 Completed reading responses
 Mini-lesson plans, reflective analysis, and student samples (as appropriate)
Attendance
Because this class is discussion based, and because participants will be working collaboratively most of
the time, regular attendance is critical in this course.
Course Schedule
Class 1 – September – Course Introduction
Topics
 Elements of quality writing
 Overview of the writing process and writing traits
 Syllabus and course expectations
K-2 Reading for Next Class
Grades 3-8 Reading for Next Class
 Teaching Writing, Ch. 1, p. 21-29
 Teaching Writing, Ch. 1, p. 21-29
 6+1 Traits of Writing, Ch. 3, p. 66-68
 6+1 Traits of Writing, Ch. 2, p. 33-40
 6+1 Traits of Writing, Ch. 4, p. 100-102
 6+1 Traits of Writing, Ch. 3, p. 68-76
 6+1 Traits of Writing, Ch. 5, p. 134-138
 6+1 Traits of Writing, Ch. 4, p. 100-109
Homework
 Reading Response #1
Class 2 – October – Collaboration in Process Classrooms
Topics
 Collaborative writing
 Writing process – prewriting and drafting
 Writing traits – ideas, organization, and voice
K-2 Reading for Next Class
Grades 3-8 Reading for Next Class
 Teaching Writing, Ch. 4, p. 74-92
 Teaching Writing, Ch. 4, p. 74-92
 The Art of Teaching Writing, Ch. 14, p.
 The Art of Teaching Writing, Ch. 14, p.
231-246
231-246
Homework
 Reading Response #2
 Mini-lesson #1
 Action Research Reflection #1
Class 3 – November – Conferencing in s Process Classrooms
Topics
 Writing conferences
 Methods for assessing student writing
K-2 Reading for Next Class
Grades 3-8 Reading for Next Class
 Revising Writing – Handout
 Revising Writing – Handout
 6+1 Traits of Writing, Ch. 6, p. 170-173
 6+1 Traits of Writing, Ch. 5, p. 139-147
 6+1 Traits of Writing, Ch. 7, p. 204-208
 6+1 Traits of Writing, Ch. 6, p. 176-183
Homework
 Reading Response #3
 Mini-lesson #2
 Action Research Reflection #2
Class 4 – January – Re-visioning Writing
Topics
 Writing process – revising
 Writing traits – word choice and sentence fluency
K-2 Reading for Next Class
Grades 3-8 Reading for Next Class
 The Art of Teaching Writing, Ch. 18, p.
 The Art of Teaching Writing, Ch. 18, p.
287-309
287-309
 6+1 Traits of Writing, Ch. 8, p. 240-244
 6+1 Traits of Writing, Ch. 7, p. 212-225
Homework
 Reading Response #4
 Mini-lesson #3
 Action Research Reflection #3
 Writing Intensive Unit Plan
 Reflective Essay
Class 5 – February – Polishing
Topics
 Writing process – editing
 Writing traits – conventions
K-2 Reading for Next Class
 6+1 Traits of Writing, Ch. 9, p. 274-277
Homework
 Reading Response #5
 Mini-lesson #4
 Action Research Reflection #4
 Writing Intensive Unit Plan
 Reflective Essay
Grades 3-8 Reading for Next Class
 6+1 Traits of Writing, Ch. 8, p. 247-250
Class 6 – March – Writing Workshop for Teachers
Topics
 Publishing student work
 Writing workshop
Homework
 Complete missing assignments
 Complete unit plan and analysis
 Compile and return portfolio
Portfolio Requirements
At the end of the course, participants will compile a portfolio that demonstrates solid understanding of
the writing process, the writing traits, and how to incorporate process-based writing instruction into
praxis. Each item in the portfolio requires a caption that tells what each document is, why it is evidence
of learning that has taken place in the course, and what it shows.
1. Five Reading Responses
2. Four mini-lessons with Action Research Reflection
 Lesson plan
 Supplementary documents (as appropriate)
 Student samples (as appropriate)
 Action Research Reflection form
3. One writing intensive unit plan
 Unit description
 Lesson plans and/or mini-lessons for the unit
 Supplementary documents
 3 student portfolio samples with teacher feedback
4. Reflective essay
5. Reflective essay writing process documentation
 Prewriting
 Rough draft
 Revision with peer comments
 Final draft