Resources For Teachers
These publications and curricula were developed and field-tested by Writers Matter teachers during the many years that Writers Matter has been used in classrooms. They offer lessons that can be adapted for many grades and students’ ability levels. Many of these publications have been updated and adapted to offer more appropriate and responsive curricula and activities as students, teachers, and their schools have changed. In addition, during the summer of 2023, under the direction of administrative representatives from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, a group of Writers Matter teachers wrote a new teachers’ resource book, Pencils in God’s Hand, which provides additional activities for faith-based schools.
Using the attached descriptions of each of the publications, teachers are encouraged to pick and choose lessons from any of these publications, adapting them in ways that are most appropriate for your curriculum, your students’ skill development, and their social/emotional growth.
Writers Matter teachers are part of a dynamic, collaborative learning community. Through bi-monthly professional development sessions, a curated teacher resource site, a series of specific professional development programs held in May, Writers Matter teachers share their practical experiences in of how they are using the lessons offered in these publications.
Looking for something specific? Try searching by grade level or theme.
RESET - Elementary
RESET - Elementary
2021-22 RESET Curriculum
2020-21 RESET Curriculum
Writers Matter provides a unique window into the lives of children ages 12 to 14 living in one of the most tense and complicated regions of the world, full of conflict and violence. These challenges are not only rooted in their worlds of religious and political conflict, but also in everyday problems of communication common within friends and family.
The Israeli-Jewish, Israeli-Palestinian/Arab or Palestinian living in the Palestinian Territories, all share an uncertain future and face seemingly insurmountable challenges each day of their lives. However, regardless of geographical location, religion, politics, or personal trauma, they all share one thing in common - they have big dreams for the future.
Let Your Voice Be Heard - Writers Matter: Elementary Edition is designed with students in grades 3-5 in mind. It can be adapted up or down to meet the needs or grade level of your students.
Voices of Teens: Writers Matter, Volume II is designed with students in grades 5 and 6 in mind. It can be adapted up or down to meet the needs or grade level of your students.
RESET - Middle
At the conclusion of the 2020-21 school year, the Writers Matter teachers gathered to reflect on the year that had passed and the role Writers Matter had in supporting students directly impacted by the challenges the year brought. A team of teachers collaborated throughout the summer of 2021 to create a new RESET curriculum that builds on the previous curriculum while addressing the specific and unique needs of the 2021-22 school year.
Empowering Young Writers explains and expands on the practical aspects of the "Writers Matter" approach, emphasizing a focus on free expression and establishing connections between the curriculum and students' personal lives. Program creator Robert Vogel and his co-authors offer proven ways to motivate adolescents to write, work diligently to improve their writing skills and think more critically about the world.
This comprehensive book will help teachers, administrators and education students apply and reproduce the "Writers Matter" approach more broadly which can have a profound impact on their students' lives and social development.
RESET - Middle
Society Unmasked captures the voices of teachers and students through their writing during the COVID-19, 2020-2021 school year; a time of unimaginable change and disruption. We sought to capture the voices of all who continued their frontline work during a worldwide pandemic, political unrest, and a fight for racial equality. In our view, almost no group was impacted more by the events of 2020-2021 than teachers and their students whose lives dramatically changed overnight. We encouraged teachers to share their stories and co-create safe spaces with their students. We combined trauma informed pedagogy with literacy to encourage students and teachers to share personal experiences and allow their voices to be heard.
Writers Matter provides a rare and unique window into the lives of children ages 12 to 14 living in one of the most tense and complicated regions of the world, full of conflict and violence. These challenges are not only rooted in their worlds of religious and political conflict, but also in everyday problems of communication common within friends and family.
This edition of Writers Matter is translated into Hebrew and can be purchased by clicking on the image to the left.
An Arabic version is also available and can be purchased by contacting Dr. Robert Vogel at vogel@lasalle.edu.
Far too often the middle school curriculum is elusive, overly full, and irrelevant. Occasionally we hear about a teacher who has worked out the nuances and delicate balance among standards, school district requirements, and the reflective questions that young adolescents desperately want to answer. When those elements align, something magical happens. This is exactly the case in Voices of Teens: Writers Matter. This teacher has given his students voice to share, question, reflect, ponder, argue, and listen to each other. As you read the voices of the students at Grover Washington Jr. Middle School, you will be touched by their stories, saddened by what they have endured in their young lives, but ultimately proud of the way they are growing into adulthood.
Voices of Teens: In Their Own Words is designed with students in grades 7-9 in mind. Far too often, the middle school curriculum is elusive, overly full, and irrelevant. Occasionally, we hear about a teacher who has worked out the nuances and delicate balance among standards, school district requirements, and the reflective questions that young adolescents desperately want to answer.
Through this unique writing program, Voices of Teens: Writers Matter, this teacher has given his students voice to share, question, reflect, ponder, argue and listen to each other. This resource by teacher Michael Galbraith and university professor Dr. Robert Vogel is written as both an instructional tool for teachers and as a classroom resource by students. Readers also have access to a YouTube channel with video companions of student work.
Writers Matter Supplemental Book can be used for all grade levels. It is an extension of the other books by providing more activities and lessons to complement each of the themes.
Amidst the early challenges of the COVID-19 Pandemic and the uncertainties surrounding the 2020-21 school year, Writers Matter assembled a team of educators to revamp the curriculum for 2020-21. Recognizing the necessity for adaptation in a largely virtual learning environment, the teachers collaborated to create a tailored curriculum focused on writing. Understanding the profound impact of recent disruptions on students, the program aims to help students “RESET” to school life by addressing their unique needs and experiences.
