on-demand workshop

Resilient Writers

Turn reluctant writers into kids who persevere in this K-5 workshop. Learn the routines and systems to help every student persevere, produce, and meet grade-level expectations.
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WORKSHOP DETAILS

  • SESSION 1 
    See why your students are struggling
    (And what to do about it)
    51 minutes

  • Connect the Science of Writing to student struggle and success. You’ll learn exactly which of the three areas of writing instruction has been under-taught — and how that gap shows up in your students’ work.

  • Distinguish between assigning writing practice and explicitly teaching the skills students need to be successful.
  • Diagnose student writing struggles to determine whether they need stronger transcription, genre-writing, or reading-response instruction.
  • Prevent cognitive overload by ensuring students have the necessary skills before asking them to tackle increasingly complex writing tasks.

  • SESSION 2 
    Find time for writing in a day that's already full
    46 minutes

  • Reconsider when and where writing instruction works in your school day. Since no two classrooms are the same, explore 5-6 realistic opportunities to make writing fit your schedule. 

  • Rethink the school day to find small pockets of time for writing instruction and practice rather than searching for one large writing block.
  • Integrate genre and response writing into math, science, social studies, and reading rather than treating writing as a stand-alone subject.
  • Ensure writing practice is preceded by explicit instruction and modeling so students know how to complete the writing they are being asked to do.


  • SESSION 3     
    Build writer stamina that actually sticks
    48 minutes

  • Establish writer stamina through intentional topics and incremental time. Stamina doesn’t happen by accident. Learn exactly what builds it and how to grow it deliberately, so students give more instead of giving up.

  • Define what a resilient writer looks and sounds like with kid-friendly criteria students can understand and work toward.
  • Teach students specific strategies for getting unstuck rather than expecting them to simply “keep trying” when writing gets difficult.
  • Create consistent writing routines that reduce confusion and resistance while helping students become increasingly independent.


  • SESSION 4
    Create a writing time students can predict
    45 minutes

  • Achieve a predictable flow from direct, explicit instruction to independent student practice. When students know what’s coming, resistance drops and problems shrink. 

  • Build the physical, mental, and emotional stamina students need to sustain increasingly longer periods of independent writing.
  • Make stamina growth visible by setting goals, tracking progress, and using a timer that counts up rather than down.
  • Use the “double-up” or “triple-up” approach to maximize writing time with multiple mini-lessons and shorter practice opportunities while stamina is still developing.


  • SESSION 5     
    End the line at your desk
    48 minutes

  • Solve the three problems that pull students out of their seats — spelling struggles, help requests, and “fast writers” who finish early. Provide systems that address these predictable problems with processes that push students to persevere.

  • Teach students strategies for handling spelling struggles without interrupting the momentum of first-draft writing.
  • Create visible classroom charts that remind students what to keep them writing when they think they are “done.” 
  • Establish procedures for seeking help while also managing their emotions.


  • SESSION 6
    Stretch stamina further with elaboration & idea development
    49 minutes

  • See how systematic instruction unfolds when the same skill nuances across narrative, informative, and persuasive writing. Then learn the trophy traits and the priority pathway for moving students from struggling to strong writers.

  • Connect elaboration directly to writing stamina by giving students concrete strategies for adding more when their first ideas are exhausted.
  • Build a cumulative list of elaboration strategies students can independently reference to keep writing rather than relying on the teacher for ideas.
  • Adapt elaboration instruction for primary writers through drawing, labeling, words, phrases, and sentences before expecting more sophisticated written development.

Smekens is trusted by K-5 teachers


  • "Teacher programs do not prepare us for teaching writing. This helps break down the process into usable, easy-to-use steps in the classroom. Thanks for giving me direction and purpose!"


  • Deb Griewe
    Elementary Teacher 


  • "Everything presented has been applicable to my kindergarten classroom, and I can already feel my confidence as a writing teacher growing! It makes so much sense!"


  • Meredith Wolff
    Elementary Teacher 


  • "This workshop is fantastic for any teacher. Young teachers will benefit greatly with this as a basis to help teach young people to write. Smekens excites you and makes you believe you can teach people how to write."

  • Jacob Beyer
    Elementary Teacher 

Plus: A free digital copy of Launching the Writer’s Workshop

Every workshop participant receives a complimentary digital copy of Kristina Smekens’ Launching the Writer’s Workshop — the resource thousands of K-5 teachers keep within arm’s reach.

Where the workshop plans your first weeks of writing instruction, the book extends the learning across the whole year:

  • Part 1: The Launch — 50+ pages of techniques, procedures, and strategies for the opening weeks of school. The same approach you’ll learn in the workshop, in book form for reference all year long.
  • Part 2: Mini-Lessons for the Rest of the Year — 50+ explicit mini-lessons targeting the essential writing skills your students need to keep growing once routines are in place.

    Choose the version that fits your classroom: Grades K-2 or Grades 3-12.

Yours free with workshop registration. A $24.99 value.

Who should enroll?

  • Grades K-5 teachers
  • School principals
  • District curriculum directors
  • Instructional coaches, curriculum coordinators, and instructional officers
  • SPED, ML, Title I, and intervention specialists

    • WHAT YOU GET

    On-Demand Videos

    Relevant & engaging presentations

    Launching the Writer's Workshop 

    Digital book
    (K-2 or 3-12 edition)
    $24.99 value

    Downloadable Handout

    Full-color
    note-taking guide

    Secret Site

    Lifetime access to
    digital resources

    Completion Certificate

    4.5 hours of
    PD credit

    PRICING & GROUP RATES

    $169/person

    Group of 15 or more?

    Email us or call (888) 376-0448
    for custom pricing.

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    Meet the PRESENTER

    Kristina Smekens

    Nationally recognized literacy consultant, author, and founder of Smekens Education
    Kristina has spent more than 20 years helping K-5 teachers do one of the hardest things in education: teach writing well.

    She works directly in classrooms — alongside students, modeling lessons, and coaching teachers through the same challenges you’re facing right now. That’s where her strategies come from. Not theory. Not a curriculum she’s selling. Real classrooms, real kids, real teachers figuring out what works.

    She’s the author of Launching the Writer’s Workshop (K-2 and 3-12 editions) and has led workshops and trainings for thousands of teachers across the country. Her approach is known for being practical, ready-to-implement, and respectful of how busy you already are.

    When you spend a day learning from Kristina, you’re not getting a program to follow. You’re getting a guide who’ll help you build the writing instruction your classroom needs.

    TOP QUESTIONS ABOUT ON-DEMAND WORKSHOPS

    What is included with my registration?

    • Access to the workshop video for one full year.
    • 4.5 hours of dynamic workshop content.
    • Digital copy of Launching the Writer’s Workshop (K-2 or 3-12 edition) — $24.99 value
    • A downloadable copy of the workshop handout.
    • Lifetime access to classroom-ready digital resources.
    • A completion certificate for 4.5 hours of continuing education credit.

    Once I register, when does my access start?

    When you register for this workshop, your access begins immediately!

    How long do I have access to the workshop?

    Once you enroll in the online workshop, you can access the videos for one full year. The self-paced format means you determine how fast or slow you move through the workshop.

    Your workshop registration also comes with lifetime access to exclusive digital resources in the “Secret Site” that accompanies this workshop. Here you’ll find classroom-ready worksheets and blackline masters, along with videos and articles to take your learning further. Teachers love the way the “Secret Site” helps them implement what they learn in the workshop.

    Can I share my workshop with colleagues?

    Online workshop sharing is not allowed. Our Terms of Use specify that one registration fee allows access for just one person. However, we are happy to offer group discounts. Give us a call at (888) 376-0448 to get the details.

    Can I get continuing education credits?

    Most likely! With prior approval from your school district, participants may receive credit for up to 4.5 hours of professional development for completing each of the workshop videos. A Certificate of Completion is provided to participants when they complete all aspects of the workshop. For possible Illinois-approved credit, please contact our office.

    Can I receive Illinois-approved credits?

    Smekens Education is a for-profit entity located outside of Illinois, and as such is not eligible to administer state-approved PD credit for webAcademy workshops. However, local school districts in Illinois may award credit when educators participate in professional development from Smekens and other for-profit, out-of-state entities. Please contact your district to determine if continuing education credit may be earned by participating in professional development events sponsored by Smekens Education.

    Can I earn graduate-level units for this workshop?

    Thanks to a partnership with the University of the Pacific, educators who complete each of the videos in a webAcademy workshop are eligible to pursue 1, 2, or 3 graduate-level units. (Graduate-level units cost is separate from registration fees. Units are $62 each.)

    Graduate-level units offered through the University of the Pacific are non-degree units which are designed for professional certification renewals and salary step increases. (These are post-baccalaureate professional development semester units of non-degree graduate level and are not applicable to a degree at University of the Pacific.) To learn more, contact us by email or call (888) 376-0448.

    What if I'm unhappy with the workshop?

    Every online workshop comes with a 100% money back guarantee. We are convinced the simple and effective strategies will transform the way you teach so we stand behind this workshop with full confidence. If you aren’t satisfied, contact me within the first ten days of your purchase, and I will give you a refund immediately. There are no additional forms to fill out, and there will be no delay. Just call (888) 376-0448 and ask for Brady or email me directly. We believe so strongly in this online workshop that we give you our personal promise of a speedy, hassle-free, no-questions-asked, total and complete refund.