Alfred University often offers summer workshops and seminars. These non-credit-bearing programs cover a wide variety of topics and are open to individuals of college age or older.

Alfred University Professional Development Seminar for High School English Teachers

Strategies for Energizing Student Writing

Sorry, this program has been cancelled.

Alfred University’s Office of Summer Programs and Summer School, in partnership with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, invites you to participate in this dynamic professional development program.

This seminar should count toward the continuing professional development requirement for teachers as mandated by the New York State Education Department. The program will include six hours of instruction.

Seminar Content
Led by Professors Susan Morehouse (chair) and Melissa Ryan of AU’s English Division, this day-long seminar will offer concrete strategies for encouraging engaged student writing.

Student performance on Regents and AP exams depends upon solid critical writing skills. Seminar participants will explore three different teaching approaches to thesis- and idea-driven student writing. Through a mix of workshop activities and faculty-led seminar discussion, participants will learn effective strategies for teaching thesis-building, using writing as thinking, and writing for the SAT and AP prompts.

During the seminar, we will build a sample writing curriculum, review the type of writing demanded by the SAT and AP exams, and participate in a model workshop. All seminar participants will receive writing exercises, workshop models, and sample lesson plans.

This is an opportunity for area teachers to engage in a practical and stimulating program. We hope that they will leave with renewed enthusiasm for these novels and an expanded repertoire of teaching tools. Participants will be able to translate the ideas from this seminar directly into the classroom.

Seminar Schedule

Saturday, April 5, 2008
8:15 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

8:15-8:35 a.m.	Registration
8:35-9:00 a.m.	Welcome and Overview of Program and Goals
9:10-10:20 a.m.	Session #1: Crafting the Thesis-Driven Essay
10:20-10:35 a.m.	Morning Break
10:35-12:00	Session #2: Writing as Thinking: the Process Essay
12-1:30 p.m.	Lunch (provided)
1:30-3:00 p.m.	Session #3: Strategies for the SAT and AP Essays
3:00-3:15 p.m.	Afternoon Break
3:15-4:30 p.m.	Session #4: Practical Applications for Individual Classrooms

Location and Fees
The seminar will take place at Alfred University's Powell Campus Center. An enrollment fee of $245 per person will cover the cost of instruction, program materials, lunch and breaks.  

We suggest you seek prior approval from your school district before enrolling to ensure this program can be applied toward your professional development obligation.

Further Information
For further information and an enrollment form please click on the underlined words. The enrollment deadline is Friday, March 21.

If you have any questions or would like to suggest topics for future seminars and workshops, please contact the Office of Summer Programs at 607.871.2612 or via email.

Although we don't anticipate the need to, Alfred University reserves the right to cancel this program due to insufficient enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances. If this happens, enrollees will be contacted immediately and fees refunded.

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