For Administrators

Live Oak Writing Project is an affiliate of the National Writing Project, and shares its mission to help educators improve writing and learning for all students.

The program is at the forefront of the College and Career Readiness Standards and provides workshops and staff development that shows teachers how to work effectively and successfully within the framework.
Live Oak contracts with local school districts to provide staff development programs tailored to the specific needs of each school. Among our success stories are Pass Christian Elementary School and North Bay Elementary School, Bay St. Louis. Programs are reasonably priced and planned to cover at least one year's work. Our research shows that in order for sustained learning to occur, staff development providers must make long-term investments in the work of a district. We strive to help teachers in all disciplines understand the importance of infusing their instruction with writing.

For research providing data showing success with writing project programs, click here.

  Ask  your  child  to  describe  things  to  you  using  details  so  that  you  can  imagine  the  item  in  your  mind.   It  might be  fun to  draw  what  he  is  describing  and  then  reverse  the  roles‐‐you  describe,  he draws.

 Allow  your  child  to choose  a  small  composition  notebook  to  use  as  a  journal.   This  should  be  private  space,  not  something  you  look  at  and  correct.   Encourage  her  to  write  down  interesting  words  she  sees  or  hears,  descriptions  of  interesting  things  she  sees  as  she  plays  or  travels,  dialogue  she  overhears.   Ask  her  to  combine  drawing  with  writing.   Occasionally  ask  if  she  has  something  in  her  journal  that  she  would  like  to  share.   After  you hear  her  read,  do not  suggest  improvements.   Just  say,  "Thank  you."

Suggest  that  your  child  write  to relatives  who  live  in  other  towns  or  states.   Don't  require  long  letters;  allow  him  to  write  short  notes.   Remember  that  grandparents  love  anything  a  grandchild  writes.

Write  stories  together.   Use  pictures  from  the  Internet,  or  even  better,  take  your  own. Photograph  unusual  things  and  then  create  unusual  stories  to  match.

Read, read, read!

Learn  new words  together.   If you  choose  the words  together  and  then  practice  using  them throughout  the  week, the  words  will  be  fully  integrated  into your child's  vocabulary.   Only  choose  one  or  two  words per  week.   Involve  the  entire  family  for  even  more  fun.

Allow your  child  to  talk,  and  spend  time  really  listening  to  him.   Part  of  being  fluid  with  language  involves  being  able  to  express  ideas  in  speaking  and  writing.   Wait just  a  few  minutes  before  insisting  that  he  play  the  quiet  game.


In addition to Professional Development presented in school districts, Live Oak Writing Project also offers open programs to teachers in general. Check this page frequently to find out what is being offered.
	All sessions are presented by Teacher Consultants affiliated with Live Oak Writing Project. These TCs have been trained in effective instructional practices through their participation in the Invitational Summer Institutes held each June on the Long Beach campus of The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast. For more information about ISI, check the Summer Institute page under the "For Teachers" tab.

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