“Writing can serve as a bridge between cultures where we learn what makes each of us unique, as well as discovering how much more we have in common than previously assumed. I am encouraged to see American and Welsh students learning so much from each other over the past week,” said Dr. Toni Ann Vroomco-executive director of TWR.
Teachers at St. Cadoc and St. Peter learned TWR writing strategies in preparation for the upcoming school year. School leadership teams wanted to visit an elementary school that has had success with The Writing Revolution’s Hochman Method.
After discussions with TWR, the Cardiff schools decided to visit PS 60, a TWR partner school.
Since 2017, PS 60 has been using the Hochman method – a method of teaching explanatory writing that can be integrated into all grades and subjects. The method was developed by Dr. Judith C. Hochmanformer principal of The Windward School in White Plains, NYfounder of the Writing Revolution and co-author of the book of the same name.
American News and GreatSchools.org each identified PS 60’s statewide test scores and student progress as “above average.” In addition, PS 60 obtained an above average training equity rating from GreatSchools.org.
Elizabeth Orsini-Foxdirector of PS 60, captured the enthusiasm felt by the students and staff of her school during the visit: “I am proud of our partnership with TWR and how our teachers enjoyed sharing their mastery of the Hochman method. with our new Welsh friends. I look forward to continued success in implementing the Hochman Method and building a global relationship that will increase our students’ writing skills and love of [language].”
“It was a wonderful experience to be able to learn from the expertise of the PS 60 teachers and The Writing Revolution team,” said Gareth Rene, director of Saint-Pierre. noted that St. Peter’s teaching staff traveled with students.
“This trip was a unique opportunity for the whole group; to travel over 3,000 miles to learn incredible things about writing, about another culture. To have experiences like this for a group of such young children is something something they will remember forever,” Rên said.
Rachel Fisherheadmaster of the Saint-Cadoc school, agrees: “[The trip has been] a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for them…the students were able to do things one can only dream of at that age.
“The staff and students of PS 60 had the wonderful opportunity to meet and work collaboratively with the staff and students of St. Peter’s and St. Cadoc. Their students worked side by side with the students of PS 60, shared ideas, discussed cultural similarities and differences, and developed friendships that will last a lifetime,” noted Kathleen Degnandeputy principal of PS 60.
Tata Njini, 11, a student at St. Peter’s who loved to write from a young age, recalled the PS 60 students as “very kind, [and] welcoming”.
Ruben Attard10-year-old Cadoc student enjoyed learning to “expand sentences, use appositives and single paragraph outline” from PS 60 teachers.
“I’m very proud to come to PS 60,” says Katelyn L., a fifth-grade student at PS 60. “The kids came from Wales visiting us to see how we use The Writing Revolution… It was a great experience.”
PS 60, St. Cadoc and St. Peter have expressed interest in becoming correspondents and continuing their collaboration.
About the writing revolution
Founded by Dr. Judith C. Hochman and based at New York CityThe mission of The Writing Revolution is to enable students, especially those from historically marginalized communities, to develop writing skills – a catalyst for better reading comprehension and the ability to think more critically – so that they have a better chance of succeeding in school, at work and in life.
TWR trains and supports teachers and school leaders in implementing the Hochman Method, an explicit set of proven, evidence-based strategies for teaching explanatory writing. The method moves from sentences to compositions and is integrated into curricula in all content areas and grade levels. The organization believes that improving writing skills contributes to improved overall academic performance and will position students with stronger personal skill sets that can help close the social inequality gap. TWR has positioned handwriting instruction as a solution to help address student learning loss that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Published in 2017, the book, The Writing Revolution: A Guide To Advancing Thinking Through Writing In All Subjects and Grades, was co-authored by Dr Hochman and Nathalie Wexler. A bestseller within the educator community, The Writing Revolution has been sold in all 50 U.S. states, 36 countries, and more than 1,000 colleges and universities.
Through courses, workshops and webinars, TWR’s training footprint expands North America and 17 other countries.
While TWR’s book and courses are available for purchase by any educator, school, district, and community member, the organization focuses its partnership work on educational institutions located in historically marginalized neighborhoods.
Contact:
The writing revolution
90 Broad Street, Third Floor
New York, NY 10004
thewritingrevolution.org
[email protected]
+1 (212) 206-0985
Connections
The writing revolution
St. Cadoc’s RC Primary School; Cardiff, Wales
St. Peter’s RC Primary School; Cardiff Wales
SOURCE The writing revolution
