Outline for sample 3-week “Transforming Lives through Writing” workshop

Following is a sample 3-week agenda for a workshop that can earn each participant .9 SB-CEU.

• PowerPoint slides enhance the presentation.
• Workshops are taught by Ken Wachsberger, acclaimed expert on the I-Search paper.
• Each participant will receive a copy of Ken’s Transforming Lives: A Socially Responsible Guide to the Magic of Writing and Researching, a copy of his teacher’s manual, and a printout of the PowerPoint slides.

Is three weeks too much? Not enough? Workshops can be tailored to your school’s unique needs.

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Week 1

1. Introduction
2. Objectives:
   • to take teachers through the process of writing;
   • to help them discover who they are as writers so they can do the same for their students;
   • to help each of them write a partial I-Search paper;
   • to enable them to teach the I-Search paper to their students
3. The I-Search paper: Three types: career search, major purchase, personal growth issue
4. Writing the I-Search introduction
5. Who are you as writers?
6. In-class: Freewrite “Who I Am as a Writer” paper
7. . Assignment: Freewrite possible topics for I-Search paper, settle on one, write introduction (bring 4-5 copies for peer group evaluation), read chapters 1-5, 11, review part II, sample I-Search papers
8. Hand in: “Who I Am as a Writer” papers

Week 2

1. Review: Who are you as a writer?
2. Allowing the topic to choose you
3. Peer group evaluation
4. In-class: Peer group introductions
5. Preparing for and conducting interviews
6. In-class: Freewrite list of questions for interview
7. Assignment: Set up interviews, complete 20 questions, do interviews and write up for class, read chapters 6-10, 12-14
8. Hand in: Introductions

Week 3

1. Review: Interviews
2. In-class: Peer group 20 questions to eliminate Yes/No and Either/Or questions
3. Partnering with the librarian
4. Bibliographies
5. The “Where Am I Now?” paper
6. Writing the I-Search conclusion
7. Introducing the I-Search paper to your students
8. Wrap up: Instant gratification
9. Assignment: Reward yourself for a job well done
10. Hand in: 20 questions
11. Evaluations of workshop