In the school year 2004-2005, O'Connell School was selected as a lab school for professional development with Columbia Teacher's College Writing Project, in New York.  We are continuing this work in the school year, 2005-2006.

 

Our grade 3, 4, 5 teachers worked extensively with a staff developer.  Our students developed written pieces on many non-narrative topics such as: personal essays, information books and persuasive essays.  In addition, narrative topics such as personal naratives and fictional stories were explored.

 

Our work as a lab school continues in the 2005-2006 school year, with Units of Study in both Narrative and Non-Narrative topics to be developed.