Raising the bar for student writing
Discover how the implementation of a student-authored publication project can inspire your students to generate authentic, compelling pieces of writing. Over the course of five days, we'll delve into each phase of the Student Press Initiative publishing process, support you in building a publication unit plan for your classroom, and explore the effectiveness of project-based learning. At the end of our time together, you'll walk away with a blueprint for student publications that you can implement in your classroom this fall!
Throughout this institute, you'll be able to:
- Learn the Student Press Initiative (SPI) approach to student-authored publication projects, including the five phases of our publishing process
- Interact with experienced coaches, teachers, and students who have participated in publication projects with SPI
- Explore best practices for creating a culture of writing in your classroom, including guided inquiry and the use of mentor texts as inspiration for writing
- Imagine and design a unit plan for your classroom, which will include strategies for supporting students in writing for specific audiences and purposes
- Earn 30 CTLE credits
What makes student publishing so valuable?
Support students in establishing their voices as writers: By engaging in an intensive genre study of real-world texts, including analysis of content, structure, and craft, students can hone their individual writing skills. Our research shows that student writing skills improve by 25% after engaging in a publication project with SPI.
Experience higher levels of engagement: What are your favorite texts? Who are your favorite authors? Questions like this can help breed inspiration at the start of a publication project, and they allow teachers and students to build upon their shared interests. When working together for a common goal, students are more engaged and more enthusiastic in their learning.
Connect writing to a larger purpose: Student writing is often read by one person (a teacher), and for one reason (a grade). Writing for an authentic audience and purpose allows students to gain skills and perspectives that will serve them beyond the classroom. After publishing their work with SPI, students often reflect that through their writing, they feel they're having a greater impact on the world.
Support students in establishing their voices as writers: By engaging in an intensive genre study of real-world texts, including analysis of content, structure, and craft, students can hone their individual writing skills. Our research shows that student writing skills improve by 25% after engaging in a publication project with SPI.
Experience higher levels of engagement: What are your favorite texts? Who are your favorite authors? Questions like this can help breed inspiration at the start of a publication project, and they allow teachers and students to build upon their shared interests. When working together for a common goal, students are more engaged and more enthusiastic in their learning.
Connect writing to a larger purpose: Student writing is often read by one person (a teacher), and for one reason (a grade). Writing for an authentic audience and purpose allows students to gain skills and perspectives that will serve them beyond the classroom. After publishing their work with SPI, students often reflect that through their writing, they feel they're having a greater impact on the world.
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Meet your facilitator, Dr. Cristina Romeo Compton
Dr. Cristina Romeo Compton received her doctorate in education from Teachers College, Columbia University in 2016, with a concentration in the teaching of English. She began her career in education as a New York City Teaching Fellow, teaching in a Title 1 school while completing her Masters in Childhood Education. At CPET, Cristina serves as the Director of Program Development and the leader of the Student Press Initiative (SPI). In each of her roles, she focuses on cultivating CPET partnerships through curriculum design, unit planning, and project-based learning. Over the past seven years, her work with SPI has supported more than 5,000 teachers and students in developing projects that culminate in professionally designed, print-based publications. |
Schedule
DAY 1
DAY 2
DAY 3
DAY 4
DAY 5
DAY 1
Phase 1: Laying the Groundwork
Time |
Activity |
8:30 - 9:00am |
Writing for full presence Use a writing prompt to set your purpose for the day, and engage in discussion with fellow educators. |
9:00 - 10:30am |
Project spotlight Hear from a coach, K-12 teacher, or student author who has successfully implemented or participated in a Student Press Initiative publication project. Each project spotlight will include an exploration of how the speaker's publication was created, why it was meaningful for their practice/learning, example unit plans, and time for Q&A. Featured speakers: Alicia Holland and Alice Jackson, teachers from Kingsbridge International High School Featured publication: We Are What We Eat |
10:30am - 12:00pm |
PD topic: Laying the Groundwork How do you identify the genre, audience, and purpose for a publication? Explore strategies for defining your project and the implications for your instruction. |
12:30 - 1:30pm |
Lunch |
1:30 - 3:00pm |
Application & experimentation Time & space to collaborate with fellow educators and explore how to implement an exploration of topic and genre development in your classroom. |
3:00 - 3:30pm |
Reflection & projection Respond to a reflective prompt that will help you envision your goals for the remainder of the institute. |
DAY 2
Phase 2: Planning the Project
Time |
Activity |
8:30 - 9:00am |
Writing for full presence Setting your intentions for the day. |
9:00 - 10:30am |
Project spotlight Explore a selected SPI publication and learn how it was created, how it impacted the practice/learning of the teachers & students involved, take part in Q&A with the day's featured speaker. Featured speaker: Jen DeCerff, CPET publication coach Featured publication: Make the World a Better Place, created in partnership with MiSK Schools |
10:30am - 12:00pm |
PD topic: Planning the project Uncover strategies for scaffolding, planning, and studying mentor texts that will inform the trajectory of your project, and get acquainted with a critical component of publication projects: the production calendar. |
12:30 - 1:30pm |
Lunch |
1:30 - 3:00pm |
Application & experimentation Explore potential timelines, how you'll support your students with mapping the scope and sequence of their publication project, and identify key mentor texts that will drive your unit. |
3:00 - 3:30pm |
Reflection & projection Review what you've accomplished so far, and visualize what you hope to achieve in the remaining days. |
DAY 3
Phase 3: Putting it Together
Time |
Activity |
8:30 - 9:00am |
Writing for full presence Respond to the selected writing prompt, set your purpose for the day, and share your writing with fellow educators |
9:00 - 10:30am |
Project spotlight Hear from a Student Press Initiative coach, K-12 teacher, or student author who has successfully implemented or participated in a student-authored publication project. Each project spotlight will include an exploration of how the speaker's publication was created, why it was meaningful for their practice/learning, example unit plans, and time for Q&A. Featured speaker: Dr. Marcelle Mentor, CPET publication coach Featured publication: Beyond What You See, created in partnership with East River Academy |
10:30am - 12:00pm |
PD topic: Putting it together Discover the importance of backwards planning, and how it can inform your curriculum and instruction. Explore promising practices for supporting your students with the main phases of the writing process, including: pre-writing, drafting, and revision. |
12:30 - 1:30pm |
Lunch |
1:30 - 3:00pm |
Application & experimentation Delve into the development of your unit by mapping out project objectives, individual lessons, and key checkpoints. |
3:00 - 3:30pm |
Reflection & projection Respond to a reflective prompt to review what you've accomplished so far, and what you hope to accomplish in the remaining days. |
DAY 4
Phase 4: A Great Production
Time |
Activity |
8:30 - 9:00am |
Writing for full presence Set your purpose for the day, and participate in a morning reflection with fellow educators |
9:00 - 10:30am |
Project spotlight Explore a selected SPI publication and learn how it was created, how it impacted the practice/learning of the teachers & students involved, take part in Q&A with the day's featured speaker. Featured speaker: Michelle Demeroukas, teacher from Morris Academy for Collaborative Studies Featured publication: Growing Through Change |
10:30am - 12:00pm |
PD topic: A great production Discover ways to support students with individual and collaborative revision processes, including how to prepare polished writing for a larger audience. Explore best practices for providing feedback to students. |
12:30 - 1:30pm |
Lunch |
1:30 - 3:00pm |
Application & experimentation Work in small groups to identify how you'll implement effective formatting and revision practices in your classroom. |
3:00 - 3:30pm |
Reflection & projection Reflect on the progress you've made, and identify your goals for the final day of the institute. |
DAY 5
Phase 5: Going Public
Time |
Activity |
8:30 - 9:00am |
Writing for full presence Use writing to identify your hopes for the final day of the institute. |
9:00 - 10:30am |
Project spotlight Hear from a Student Press Initiative coach, K-12 teacher, or student author who has successfully implemented or participated in a student-authored publication project. Each project spotlight will include an exploration of how the speaker's publication was created, why it was meaningful for their practice/learning, example unit plans, and time for Q&A. Featured speaker: Jorge Beltran, CPET publication coach Featured publication: The Barriers We Faced, The Bridges We Built, created in partnership with the Bronx High School of Business |
10:30am - 12:00pm |
PD topic: Going Public Discover how to prepare your students for sharing their work via public readings, and what it takes to host a book release celebration. |
12:30 - 1:30pm |
Lunch |
1:30 - 3:00pm |
Application & experimentation Brainstorm with fellow educators and imagine how to bring public readings and book release celebrations to your classroom/school. |
3:00 - 3:30pm |
Reflection & projection Reflect on your progress throughout the institute, and identify your goals beyond our time together. |
Registration & payment
REGISTRATION
PAYMENT
REGISTRATION
Regular registration | $625 | Registration period ends 11:59PM EST on July 31st
All attendees must complete a registration form. We will not be able to admit you to the institute if a registration form is not on file. Registration closes at 11:59pm EST on July 31st.
To adjust or cancel your registration, contact [email protected]. Refunds will be offered through July 29th. Refunds requested beyond that date will not be processed.
All attendees must complete a registration form. We will not be able to admit you to the institute if a registration form is not on file. Registration closes at 11:59pm EST on July 31st.
To adjust or cancel your registration, contact [email protected]. Refunds will be offered through July 29th. Refunds requested beyond that date will not be processed.
PAYMENT
USING A PURCHASE ORDER
Have your school contact [email protected] to initiate this process. A PO must be created by your school & received by CPET by July 22nd in order for a promo code to be generated.
Once we've received a PO, we will provide your school with a promo code to distribute to the teachers they are funding. The promo code will discount your registration 100% so that there is no out-of-pocket cost to you. You will still be required to complete a registration form.
USING A CREDIT CARD
Simply complete the registration form online. You will be asked for your credit card information at that time.
USING YOUR NEW TEACHER NETWORK MEMBERSHIP
There is no New Teacher Network discount available for this series. Please register using your credit card, or a PO from your school.
Have your school contact [email protected] to initiate this process. A PO must be created by your school & received by CPET by July 22nd in order for a promo code to be generated.
Once we've received a PO, we will provide your school with a promo code to distribute to the teachers they are funding. The promo code will discount your registration 100% so that there is no out-of-pocket cost to you. You will still be required to complete a registration form.
USING A CREDIT CARD
Simply complete the registration form online. You will be asked for your credit card information at that time.
USING YOUR NEW TEACHER NETWORK MEMBERSHIP
There is no New Teacher Network discount available for this series. Please register using your credit card, or a PO from your school.
FAQs
What are CTLE hours, and should I register for them?
Beginning in 2016, a registered holder of a NYS professional classroom teaching certificate, educational leadership certificate, or Level III teaching assistant certificate is required to successfully complete 100 Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE) hours. Teachers College is a state-approved provider of CTLE hours, and participants can earn up to 30 hours for attending this institute. Attendance will be verified before CTLE credits are awarded.
CTLE information must be included on your registration form. If you decline CTLE hours at the time of registration and change your mind afterward, you'll need to contact us by the start of the institute (August 5th). After that date, we'll be unable to accommodate CTLE requests.
Can I pay for my registration using a purchase order?
Absolutely! Please see the registration & payment section above for more details.
Where can I learn more about the Student Press Initiative?
The Student Press Initiative (SPI) is one of our signature initiatives — its mission is to revolutionize education by advancing teacher leadership in reading and writing instruction. Through publication, we raise the bar for what, how, and why students write. You can learn more about this work here.
Can I see some examples of your student-authored publications?
You can find sample publication projects here, or you can check here to view & purchase the latest publications we've created with our partners.
What if I need to change or cancel my registration?
If you need to change your registration for any reason: contact us at [email protected].
If you need to cancel your registration and receive a refund: contact us at [email protected]. We can offer refunds through July 29th.
Where do I go on the first day?
Participants will convene at Teachers College, Columbia University: 525 West 120th Street New York, NY 10027.
All attendees must go through security at the Zankel Hall entrance when entering campus. Please have your ticket (electronic or hard copy) and a photo ID on hand to help facilitate this process. The exact location for all sessions will be provided closer to the start of this event. You'll receive the confirmation at the same email you used during registration.
Beginning in 2016, a registered holder of a NYS professional classroom teaching certificate, educational leadership certificate, or Level III teaching assistant certificate is required to successfully complete 100 Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE) hours. Teachers College is a state-approved provider of CTLE hours, and participants can earn up to 30 hours for attending this institute. Attendance will be verified before CTLE credits are awarded.
CTLE information must be included on your registration form. If you decline CTLE hours at the time of registration and change your mind afterward, you'll need to contact us by the start of the institute (August 5th). After that date, we'll be unable to accommodate CTLE requests.
Can I pay for my registration using a purchase order?
Absolutely! Please see the registration & payment section above for more details.
Where can I learn more about the Student Press Initiative?
The Student Press Initiative (SPI) is one of our signature initiatives — its mission is to revolutionize education by advancing teacher leadership in reading and writing instruction. Through publication, we raise the bar for what, how, and why students write. You can learn more about this work here.
Can I see some examples of your student-authored publications?
You can find sample publication projects here, or you can check here to view & purchase the latest publications we've created with our partners.
What if I need to change or cancel my registration?
If you need to change your registration for any reason: contact us at [email protected].
If you need to cancel your registration and receive a refund: contact us at [email protected]. We can offer refunds through July 29th.
Where do I go on the first day?
Participants will convene at Teachers College, Columbia University: 525 West 120th Street New York, NY 10027.
All attendees must go through security at the Zankel Hall entrance when entering campus. Please have your ticket (electronic or hard copy) and a photo ID on hand to help facilitate this process. The exact location for all sessions will be provided closer to the start of this event. You'll receive the confirmation at the same email you used during registration.
