West Central Indiana
Educational Service Center
Excellence through Collaboration

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October 23, 2025
Respond by October 16, 2025
Kick-Start Writing Instruction: Routines, Strategies & Stamina for grades K-5 Writers
Presented by Kristina Smekens, The Smekens Educational Solutions, Inc
Great writing instruction doesn’t happen by chance—it’s grounded in the science of writing and built through intentional routines, direct instruction, and strategic feedback from day one. This workshop equips grade K-5 English-language arts teachers with research-based strategies to develop confident, resilient writers while providing a step-by-step plan for launching writing instruction that fosters engagement and stamina from day one. What You’ll Learn: ● How to establish clear routines from day one so students stay engaged and build writing stamina—without constant teacher prompting. ● The three essential types of writing experiences, backed by research and state assessment rubrics. ● Why direct instruction is critical for growing writers—and how to deliver explicit mini-lessons in writing. ● Research-based feedback strategies that guide students toward self-revision instead of relying on the teacher. ● Practical ways to carve out time for writing in a packed literacy block. What You’ll Take Away: ● A step-by-step plan to kick-start genre-based writing instruction with momentum. ● A flexible framework for integrating writing with reading and language instruction. ● A clear understanding of the essential skills to prioritize in writing instruction, honoring the components of the 6 Traits of Writing and The Writing Rope. ● Strategies to help students persist through writing challenges instead of shutting down. ● A research-based approach that makes writing time more productive and stress free.
Bring a fully charged laptop.
Audience: Teachers grades K-5, ELA Teachers, Grades K-5, Instructional Coaches, Curriculum Specialists, Curriculum Directors
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We listened.
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Check out the variety of Virtual workshops scheduled this year!

PURCHASING
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Contact Debbi Christy for answers to all of your questions about cooperative purchasing. Debbi can be reached at 765/653-2727 or by email at dchristy@wciesc.k12.in.us.
The goal is to support the needs of our member districts. The value this brings to our members is not only a cost savings but also saving precious employee time, which adds to further cost savings.
The mission of The Educational Service Centers of Indiana (ESC of I) is to create a collaborative environment for all of Indiana’s educational service centers to implement statewide initiatives beneficial to all Indiana’s educators and students.
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The added benefits of this Amazon contract are:
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Districts can use Amazon Business to satisfy procurement requirements for quotes since the award was done through a vetted RFP process
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Purchases made through this contract directly support Indiana’s Educational Service Centers
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