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| Dr. Bonnie Singer and Dr. Anthony Bashir |
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| Developers of the EmPOWER Method for Teaching Expository Writing |
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EmPOWER is an instructional method for teaching students to write expository
text that was developed by Dr. Bonnie Singer and Dr. Anthony Bashir. Its evolved from many years of working with together
with students, teachers, and schools on developing an effective method for teaching students to manage their school writing
assignments. EmPOWER is a step-by-step method that a student follows when writing an essay; the method makes clear the kinds
of thinking, subroutines, and strategies needed to develop a well written text. Using EmPOWER, the teacher mentors students
through all stages of the writing process using a series of questions and strategies that build on one another. Together,
they enable students to evaluate and analyze their assignments, see the organizational patterns of their thinking, transfer
their thinking into structured text, and evaluate their written work before handing in a final paper.
As an explicit instructional method, EmPOWER makes the writing process transparent
and clear to the student. Through this practice of demystifying the very complex
process of writing, writers build an understanding and control of each step they must take when writing a paper. Along with the teacher’s guidance, the writing process becomes a collaborative effort, open for exploration,
discussion and cooperative problem solving in the classroom. Collectively, all the steps and strategies of EmPOWER
support the development of the executive function, self-regulation, language, and critical thinking skills that expository
writing requires.
EmPOWER is designed to be used by both teachers
and students in grades 2 and beyond. For teachers, it structures their instructional practice and provides a framework
for authentic assessment. For students, EmPOWER provides the internal dialogue that guides the writing process
and scaffolds problem solving. Over time, students internalize the EmPOWER steps
as they come to consciously understand what writing involves and learn how to manage its many elements. With this understanding, students gain independence, motivation, and self-confidence with expository writing.
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Why EmPOWER?
click here for an understanding of EmPOWER
Current research on best practices for teaching writing
In
Writing Next, a report to the Carnegie Corporation of New York,
Graham and Perin (2007) reviewed the research on effective strategies to improve writing of adolescents in grades 4-12. Through the application of a statistical procedure called a meta-analysis, they identified eleven elements of writing instruction that are effective for teaching students
to write well and to use writing as a tool for learning.
The document link below summarizes
the major findings of the study and illustrates how EmPOWER addresses each of
these key elements of effective instruction.
click here to find out what instructional elements improve writing quality
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5 REASONS WE LOVE EmPOWER...
From the Chickering School teachers in Dover, MA
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Writing is of pivotal importance to all aspects of life. EmPOWER provides children with a step-by-step process that will help them write a
paragraph in second grade, a thesis in college and a report for work. It is a
life long skill.
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EmPOWER creates and uses common tools and vocabulary that
can follow students throughout their school experience. The consistency this
method offers takes the guess work out of writing. It lessens the confusion of
how to write and allows children to focus on the content of what they are writing.
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EmPOWER is a Universal Design for Learning. It reaches all types of learners and supports The Chickering School’s commitment to full inclusion
in the classroom. Teachers using EmPOWER see the benefit of this method for all
students. Children at different levels use the same routines and strategies while
working at their own pace. It is a teaching method designed to reach children with all learning styles and at all levels of
ability.
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EmPOWER teaches teachers how to teach writing. Having taken many classes in writing, we’ve yet to find an instructional approach that is both teacher
and student friendly. EmPOWER provides a clear process that teachers love and
children embrace. The current interest in EmPOWER is a clear indication of our
teachers’ need for a writing method and their enthusiasm for EmPOWER.
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EmPOWER teaches kids to love writing! It used to be that when
given a writing prompt, a dazed look fell upon the faces of many students. Now
students feel competent in their writing abilities and they enjoy the process. They
know where to start and have a sense of calmness. They organize their thoughts
and ideas before they start their writing; they are in control of their writing --- and are proud of their final product.
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