Keys to Early Writing
Join this course to gain evidence-based practices for teaching foundational skills to students performing at pre-K through grade 3 levels.
Date: Aug. 17-18, 2026
Time:
8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Location:
Sourcewell
Cost:
$350 per participant, Comprehensive Package pricing: $35 per participant
Learn more about the Comprehensive Package and see a list of participating districts here >
Prerequisites: None
CEUs: Teacher CEU
Relicensure requirement: Reading Preparation
Description:
This practical course provides the background knowledge needed to teach all the components of beginning writing instruction. The instructional practices are developmentally appropriate for children in grades pre-K-3. They are designed to easily transfer to classroom lessons and can be integrated with any writing curriculum or published writing program. The course is tightly aligned with state literacy standards.
The course covers these topics:
- Writing Basics
- Engage a Community of Writers
- Writing Process
- Structure for the Three Types of Writing
- First Steps: Drawing, Labels, Lists
- Syntax, Sentences
- Paragraph Writing
- Writing from Sources
About the leader:
Des Arnold, M. Ed., a trainer with Keys to Literacy, will lead this training.
She began her journey as an educator in 2009. She has spent the majority of her time working with students in remediation and intervention. Des has worked as a classroom assistant, interventionist, Title I teacher, Reading Specialist, and Math Interventionist in a wide range of schools, including public, charter, bilingual, and private. In 2019, she moved into a role with an educational organization as a Staff Developer, offering training, consultation, and coaching to teachers, schools, and districts in the areas of literacy and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). In her spare time, Des enjoys spending time outdoors, whether it is tending to her micro-homestead or hiking and kayaking with her family.
Event Registration
Registration deadline: Aug. 3, 2026
Check-in: 8 a.m.
Questions: education@sourcewell-mn.gov
Register See event policies