A practical, research-informed two-day workshop for Years 0–8 teachers and leaders
Teaching writing can feel overwhelming, especially when students struggle to form clear sentences, organise their ideas, or revise their work independently. This two-day workshop brings clarity to the process, giving educators practical, research-aligned strategies that help students write with accuracy, purpose, and confidence.
Available in-person, online, or onsite at your school.
What this 2-day workshop is all about
This workshop takes a “writing to learn” approach, helping students strengthen both their writing and their thinking. Grounded in the work of leading experts, we explore what it truly means to teach writing explicitly and systematically:
Judith Hochman and Natalie Wexler (The Writing Revolution) – sentence-level and paragraph-level structures that build comprehension and clarity
Dr Louisa Moats – the importance of language structures and explicit instruction
Daisy Christodoulou (No More Marking) – writing as a tool for knowledge-building
Dr Anita Archer, Charles Hughes, Doug Lemov, and others – clear, engaging explicit teaching practices
What sets this workshop apart is its direct relevance to Aotearoa classrooms. Every strategy is modelled using examples from Mātauranga Māori contexts and local curriculum inquiries, helping teachers see how structured literacy and culturally grounded teaching fit together.
Across the two days, you will build deep knowledge of how writing develops and what students need in order to write clearly and confidently. Together, we explore:
Sentence-Level Instruction
- How to teach students to write clear, accurate sentences
- How to help students stop writing how they speak
- Strategies for teaching syntax in ways that make sense to learners
- Explicit teaching of common issues such as run-ons, fragments, and misplaced clauses
Paragraph and Text-Level Structure
- How to teach paragraph writing step-by-step
- How to support students to organise information, make claims, and explain ideas
- Ways to model, scaffold, and gradually release responsibility
Writing and Comprehension, Together
- How writing supports understanding of texts and concepts
- How to weave comprehension checks into every writing task
- How writing strengthens content learning across learning areas
Revision and Editing
- Practical routines that help students review their own writing
- How to teach students to identify and correct their own errors
- How to build habits of accuracy, clarity, and craft over time
Hands-On, Ready-to-Use Activities
- Classroom activities you can use immediately
- Clear models of explicit teaching in action
- Time to practise with feedback from experienced facilitators
Throughout the workshop, we focus on clarity, manageable steps, and strategies that work for all learners. You’ll be supported to notice what’s working, build on strengths, and design routines that are sustainable in your context. Through our support, you'll be teaching with structure and in manageable chunks that support reluctant writers
Aotearoa-Focused, Context-Rich
All examples are grounded in local curriculum contexts, including texts and topics connected to Mātauranga Māori. You’ll also bring your own text or resource to the workshop, and we’ll work with you to design a writing plan you can teach straight away.
Who This Workshop Is For
This workshop is ideal for:
- Classroom teachers in Years 0–8
- Literacy leaders and middle leaders
- Specialists supporting students with additional needs
- School leaders wanting alignment across teams
It’s designed for educators who want clearer steps, who care about equity, and who want writing instruction that lifts both confidence and achievement.
Delivery Options
Choose the format that works best for you:
- In-person public workshops
- Online interactive workshops
- School-based delivery for staff groups
Each option provides the same practical modelling, examples, and support.
