Teaching Writing

Using a genre-based pedagogy with strong emphasis on language development, participants will learn how to teach writing. The approach has been developed and tested for over 10 years in multiple elementary and K–8 schools. The content has been distributed among three one-credit courses, available online and each focusing on a set of genres. 

At a Glance

Who should attend?

Teachers, adminstrators, literacy specialists and coaches, and paraprofessionals.


What is the format?

Courses are online with live synchronous sessions and weekly self-paced activities.


When are the courses offered next?

Courses are offered in the Summer, Fall, and Spring.  For information about upcoming offerings, please see the "Courses" section below. 


Can schools or districts pay by purchase order?

To pay for multiple registrants via purchase order, please email lynchschoolpce@bc.edu.


Will participants receive Professional Development Points?

Participants who complete all required coursework will receive 15 PDP's.

 

Courses

Teaching Narrative Writing to K-8 students

This is a project-based course where groups of participants will collaborate to develop a writing unit in a genre appropriate for their grade level. Using a genre-based pedagogy informed by systemic functional linguistics, participants will learn how to teach non-fiction narratives  and fictional narratives.

Format

Online via Zoom

Dates

July 11 - August 8, 2023

Cost

$400

To take this course for credit, please enroll in EDUC7547. The current credit rate is listed on the Tuition and Financial page. For non-BC students, please create an account and apply for non-degree coursework

Interested in customizing Teaching Narrative Writing to your school's needs? Contact lynchschoolpce@bc.edu for more information.

Teaching Report and Explanation Writing to K-8 Students

Using a genre-based pedagogy informed by systemic functional linguistics, participants will learn how to teach reports and explanations in the context of social studies and/or science. 

Format

Online via Zoom

Dates

October 3 - October 31, 2023

Cost

$400

To take this course for credit, please enroll in EDUC7548. The current credit rate is listed on the Tuition and Financial page. For non-BC students, please create an account and apply for non-degree coursework

Interested in customizing Teaching Report and Explanation Writing to your school's needs? Contact lynchschoolpce@bc.edu for more information.

Teaching Argument and Procedure Writing to K-8 Students

Using a genre-based pedagogy informed by systemic functional linguistics, participants will learn how to teach arguments and procedures. The strong emphasis on language development distinguishes this approach from others currently used in schools. 

Format

Online via Zoom

Dates

January 9 - February 6, 2024

Cost

$400

To take this course for credit, please enroll in EDUC7549. The current credit rate is listed on the Tuition and Financial page. For non-BC students, please create an account and apply for non-degree coursework

Interested in customizing Teaching Argument and Procedure Writing to your school's needs? Contact lynchschoolpce@bc.edu for more information.

Program Faculty

Maria Estela Brisk

Dr. Maria Estela Brisk is a Professor at the Lynch School of Education and Human Development. For decades, Maria Brisk’s work has focused on language and education—individually and where they intersect. Teaching since the mid 1960s, her expertise has centered on how literacy and bilingualism are developed. She uses systemic functional linguistics to teach writing and implement genre-based pedagogy, most recently and successfully at Russell Elementary School.

Her illustrious career includes dozens of books and scholarly journal publications, as well as speaking engagements around the world. Brisk has served as an expert witness on several court cases on desegregation and bilingual education. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the AERA Bilingual Education Research SIG Lifetime Achievement award and the AERA Scholars of Color Distinguished Career Contribution Award.

Course Facilitators 

Frank Daniello

Dr. Frank Daniello began his educational career as an elementary school teacher and district literacy specialist. Frank's research interests presently focus on SFL-informed genre-based pedagogy in elementary classrooms, teacher leadership and school change, and teachers’ critical reflection about instruction. A theme that unites his scholarship is that teachers are the single greatest influence on children’s development in schools. 

Tracy Hodgson-Drysdale

Dr. Tracy Hodgson-Drysdale has taught in various capacities over a twenty-year period, including five years working as an elementary generalist, six as a reading specialist, and thirteen as an instructor teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses in literacy, bilingualism, and systemic functional linguistics (SFL). She has worked with Dr. Maria Estela Brisk since 2008 as her teaching assistant and research assistant, and they also presented at conferences and collaborated on articles. 

 

Mariam Gorbea Ramy

Mariam Gorbea Ramy has a Bachelor's in Applied Psychology and a Master's in Elementary Education, with a Urban and Bilingual focus, from Boston College. She worked in BPS as a Spanish teacher in Dual Language schools. She now creates curriculum that integrates Puerto Rican experiences with STEM skills as Director of Curriculum and Programs in an NPO in Puerto Rico. Ms. Gorbea Ramy is a nastive speaker of English and Spanish, is proficient in French, and continues to learn Lebanese Arabic.

 

Betsy McDonald

Elizabeth MacDonald is a veteran educator and instructional coach within the Boston Public Schools and has served as an adjunct instructor in Boston College’s Lynch School of Education for close to twenty years. Her interests include urban education, reading and writing instruction, dual-language schools and the preparation of pre-service teachers. She has worked with Maria Estela Brisk on  the study of and implementation of the theory Systemic Functional Linguistics in the classroom. Additionally, as co-author of the first and second edition of The Mindful Teacher, she is committed to supporting and retaining urban educators. 

Ana Soto Viquez

Ana Soto Viquez's background as a bilingual student in international schools across different countries fueled a strong  interest in bilingual and dual language education, especially the development and instruction of reading and writing in bilingual students. A first grade teacher at the dual language Hurley K-8 School with Boston Public Schools for the last five years, she has had the opportunity to work closely with second language learners, seeing second language acquisition and biliteracy theories put into practice and explore how the theory of Systemic Functional Linguistics can inform w'sriting instruction for bilingual students.

Questions?

For questions about the content and delivery of the courses, contact Dr. Maria Brisk at maria.brisk@bc.edu

If you are interested in individual coursework for your school or school district, contact Ashana Hurd at (617) 552-4213 or email lynchschoolpce@bc.edu