Build Your Expertise with Research

A BACKSTORY: At Two Writing Teachers, we believe the workshop model is the most effective method for teaching writing. We’ve seen it firsthand in our combined 132 years of teaching, and know research supports this belief. In this blog series, we’ll dive into research related to some of the most crucial components of writing workshop. We’ll explore multiple viewpoints to prepare teachers to defend their pedagogical decision-making.

WHY IT MATTERS: Research can be instrumental in supporting instructional decision-making for teachers. This week, we will immerse you in research to build your expertise in various issues surrounding the writing workshop. 

THE BIG PICTURE: Teachers who research, reflect, and refine their practice are more effective educators. Strong research assists teachers by:

• Providing Evidence: Research helps gather evidence and data to substantiate your claims or ideas. By referencing relevant studies or research findings, you can strengthen your arguments and demonstrate that your thinking is grounded in evidence-based information.
• Identifying Best Practices: Research allows you to discover existing best practices, methodologies, or interventions that have proven effective in supporting children’s development or well-being. By incorporating these practices into your thinking, you can propose strategies or approaches more likely to succeed.
• Understanding the Context: Research helps you understand the context in which you intend to help kids. By examining existing studies, reports, or data related to students’ challenges or needs, you can tailor your thinking to address their unique circumstances more effectively.
• Anticipating Potential Outcomes: Research enables you to analyze and comprehend specific actions or interventions’ possible outcomes or consequences. By reviewing existing research, you can anticipate the potential benefits, risks, or unintended consequences of your proposed ideas, enabling you to refine your thinking and make informed decisions.
• Providing Credibility: By incorporating research-backed evidence into your thinking, you enhance your credibility and demonstrate that your ideas are informed by established knowledge and expertise. Credibility matters when seeking support, funding, or collaboration from stakeholders who may value evidence-based approaches.
• Staying Current: Educational researchers and experts continuously release new research and theories. The most effective teachers are perpetual learners, navigating an ever-evolving landscape of knowledge and insights with a critical eye. 

WHAT’S NEXT: Our co-author team will tackle the following topics this week:

• accessibility throughout the writing process
• daily time for writing
• developing purpose for the youngest writers
• invented spelling
• grammar and conventions instruction
• oral language
• building community through practices like peer collaboration and feedback

At the end of the week, there will be a post that rounds up all of the research and puts it in one place for easy access anytime you need it.

ONE THING TO REMEMBER: Research provides a foundation for your thinking when you critically evaluate and interpret research findings to determine whether they are valid and relevant to your classroom. 

ONE FINAL THING: We want to hear your thoughts throughout the week, and there’s a book giveaway for those who share comments! You can win a copy of How to Become a Better Writing Teacher by Carl Anderson and Matt Glover, donated by Heinemann. To enter the giveaway, readers should leave a comment on any Build Your Expertise Blog Series post by noon EST on Sunday, 2/18. The winner will be chosen randomly and announced on February 19. Readers from around the globe are welcome to enter this contest!