April 19: Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) for Writing

Christine Keller, M.A., M.S.Ed. and Chava Blitzer, Director of the Chai Center Middle and High School Academy for Special Learning Needs will facilitate a workshop on Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) for Writing, a research-based approach developed by Harris & Graham to assist learners of all ages who struggle with the writing process.

• Parents… SRSD is an approach that works for kids with learning differences and writing disabilities (i.e., Dysgraphia)!
• Educators… This approach does not replace but enhances what you are already doing with tools to reach ALL students!
• Students… Using SRSD is a way to use your interests and strengths to enable writing success in a meaningful way!

We are privileged to have Dr. Andrew Hashey, faculty member in the Exceptional Education & Learning Department at SUNY College at Old Westbury, Dr. Gretchn Hanser, Educational Consultant and Occupational Therapist at I Hope Academy and in private practice, in addition to Sherri Tennant, M.S.,CCC-SLP, a clinical faculty member in the Speech and Language Hearing Services Department at the University of Colorado provide an introduction to SRSD in addition to hands-on breakout sessions for participants.

Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) for Writing…

• Integrates all major learning theories (social cognitive, constructivist and behavioral)
• Offers practical strategies to help readers and writers strengthen their ability to learn in social contexts, be strategic, engage in purposeful discovery and become independent thinkers.
• Foregrounds writing as a window into thinking and as a way to develop the kind of critical thinking behind the reading standards. Strong, creative, critical thinking, leads to rich writing and vice versa.
• Enables students to take charge of how they self-regulate their thought processes in ways that equip students with powerful voice and agency.
• Uses a 6-stage gradual release framework. Not a program, SRSD is a set of practices that empower teachers to enhance how they already teach literacy, and develop the self-regulation students need to be in charge of their literacy lives.
• While tools and lesson plans are available merely to help teachers get started, SRSD is meant to be customized and transformed to integrate with and enhance teachers’ current best practices.
• Meaning drives reading and writing in SRSD. Students are supported in self-regulating how they make meaning and communicate those with varied scaffolds that are removed as soon as our students become independent, fluid thinkers.