NWREL NEWS
Flashback
AUTHOR FACILITATES WORKSHOP ON USING WEE CAN WRITETM
Teachers of “wee” writers from Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Montana, Oregon, Texas, and Washington came to NWREL in April for the Using Wee Can WriteTM workshop. The sold-out event was facilitated by Carolyn McMahon, coauthor of the best-selling guidebook, Wee Can Write™: Using 6+1 Trait® Writing Strategies With Renowned Children’s Literature. Described by McMahon as a “learn it today ... use it tomorrow” workshop, participants learned a range of practical and creative activities for introducing the traits of effective writing to the youngest students (pre-K–1). Participants were also some of the first educators to get a sneak peak at the hot-off-the-presses Wee Writers’ Continuum poster set and the Wee Can CountTM guidebook.
OREGON EDUCATORS ATTEND READING FIRST INSTITUTE
Teachers Dany Chhy and Juana Garcia from Hillsboro, Oregon, participated in a training institute in February for Head Start teachers involved in Project ExCEL, an Early Reading First program implementing the Building Language for Literacy Plus (BLL+) curriculum in 13 classrooms across Oregon. BLL+ integrates student activities that develop self-regulation and high levels of literacy. NWREL’s Child and Family Program administers Project ExCEL, which includes a comprehensive three-year professional development system (coaching, training, technical assistance, and support) to assist 45 teachers to implement an exemplary early childhood program for children from low-income families.
6+1 TRAIT® WRITING MODEL FOR TRAINERS INSTITUTE
Teachers from as far south as Colombia, as far north as Canada, and several places in between attended the Assessment Unit’s 6+1 Trait Writing Model for Trainers Institute at NWREL in February. After participating in the intensive three-day workshop facilitated by Peter Bellamy, these new trainers can now teach other educators in their communities how to use the internationally popular writing assessment model.
LEADERSHIP TEAMS FOCUS ON IMPROVING LITERACY AND MATHEMATICS SCHOOLWIDE
Educators from 15 Beaverton (OR) School District middle and high schools convened at NWREL’s headquarters for the Center for School and District Improvement’s workshop, Improving Adolescent Literacy and Mathematics: Professional Learning Teams in Action, in April. Teams learned strategies and developed plans for improving classroom practices, providing support for middle and high school students struggling with core content areas, and leading meaningful and useful professional learning teams. 
