When I suggest that writing is far bigger than print and that teaching it well requires a playful approach that leverages orality and multimodal expression, I know that many primary and intermediate level teachers agree. And yet, all too often, these same teachers find themselves rushing writers to keyboards or pushing pens and pencils into their hands far more quickly than they’d prefer because time is tight and testing matters and also?

Because written words matter.

They do.

Multimodal expression matters as well, and here’s the beautiful thing: The affordances of each mode of expression have the potential to elevate our use of the others. That’s right: When young writers speak their compositional intentions, this often results in higher quality print. The same is true when they draw or build or perform those intentions, too.

Are you uncertain what multimodal expression entails or how you might use it to elevate the writing process or inspire writers to develop dynamic and engaging products? Then, I’d love to hang out with you for a couple of hours very soon.

I’ve been asked to offer an event like this for several years now, and the time is finally right for me to make good on this promise. Join me on Zoom on July 20, 2023 for two short hours that are sure to rejuvenate your practice and restore your joy again.

We’ll begin by learning a bit about the six different modes of expression, how to introduce them to young writers, and how to invite their use. Then we’ll explore different ways to leverage multimodality throughout the writing process in order to honor and better engage diverse learners who are eager to create delightful and dynamic work.

This session will prepare you to create workshops where children compose with paper, clay, light and shadow, loose parts, and sound. You’ll learn more about how to plan, teach, and assess contemporary written forms. You’ll also leave with tangible unit and lesson design tools, feedback protocols and frames that will help you speak the language of multimodal composition, and resources that will help you assess and report on student progress inside of any system, including those that remain rooted in historic grading practices. All participants will be invited to schedule a thirty minute 1:1 debrief with me via Zoom as well, ensuring a just-right fit as they prepare to apply new learning.

Register below, and plan to receive a message from me one week ahead of our session that will include a link to our meeting room and a survey of your availability for our half-hour consultation. You do not need to have read my book in order to participate in this workshop, but if you’d like to order it you can do so right here. If I can tell you more, please contact me.