This is a descriptive study of an ongoing, on-site tutoring program entitled Knights Write! Perspectives from school administrators, preservice teachers, inservice teachers who were former tutors, current Knights Write tutors, and little buddies are provided to highlight the benefits and limitations of this university-PDS partnership of 16 years.

1. It’s a Win-Win-Win:It’s a Win-Win-Win:
A school-universityA school-university
on-site tutoringon-site tutoring
partnership in writingpartnership in writing
to supportto support
preservice teacherspreservice teachers
and elementaryand elementary
studentsstudentsSherron Killingsworth Roberts, Ed.D.Sherron Killingsworth Roberts, Ed.D.
University of Central FloridaUniversity of Central Florida
Sherron.roberts@ucf.eduSherron.roberts@ucf.edu
Ms. Tära Newby Pettengill and Ms. Yanique VaughnMs. Tära Newby Pettengill and Ms. Yanique Vaughn
Arbor Ridge School, OCPSArbor Ridge School, OCPS
Tara.newby@ocps.netTara.newby@ocps.net && Yanique.vaughn@ocps.netYanique.vaughn@ocps.net

2. This session will share:This session will share:

3. Knights Write!: A long-Knights Write!: A long-
term school-universityterm school-university
partnershippartnership
 Beginning in 1998, the goal has been to workBeginning in 1998, the goal has been to work
with students at the margins to boost Floridawith students at the margins to boost Florida
Writes! scoresWrites! scores
 Theoretical framework based on the principlesTheoretical framework based on the principles
of reflective practice to evaluate and provideof reflective practice to evaluate and provide
writing minilessons for improving Floridawriting minilessons for improving Florida
Writes! scores.Writes! scores.
 One-on-one tutoring, portfolio, writingOne-on-one tutoring, portfolio, writing
workshop formatworkshop format
 Culminates in a Young Author Celebration!Culminates in a Young Author Celebration!

4. What is Knights Write! ?What is Knights Write! ?
30 min one-on-one tutoring in30 min one-on-one tutoring in
3 credit hr course using3 credit hr course using
analytical categories in aanalytical categories in a
writers workshop formatwriters workshop format
with 20 to 26 little buddieswith 20 to 26 little buddies
every semester.every semester.

5. Knights Write! started as a service learningKnights Write! started as a service learning
project to benefit elementary students… Littleproject to benefit elementary students… Little
buddies are always the priority.buddies are always the priority.
However, benefits not only elementaryHowever, benefits not only elementary
students, but administrators, preservicestudents, but administrators, preservice
teachers…teachers…
Thus, a win-win-win!Thus, a win-win-win!

6. Perspectives of KnightsPerspectives of Knights
Write!Write!

7. Video from Arbor RidgeVideo from Arbor Ridge
School PrincipalSchool Principal
Ms. Paige Tracy works everyMs. Paige Tracy works every
semester to ensure a greatsemester to ensure a great
teaching experience for ourteaching experience for our
preservice teachers, and apreservice teachers, and a
great learning experience forgreat learning experience for
our little buddies.our little buddies.
Many Arbor Ridge teachers haveMany Arbor Ridge teachers have
been hired who fell in lovebeen hired who fell in love
with the school, and who madewith the school, and who made
connections with Arbor Ridge.connections with Arbor Ridge.

8. Administrative Perspectives:Administrative Perspectives:
Ms. Paige Tracy, PrincipalMs. Paige Tracy, Principal

9. Videos from Arbor Ridge SchoolVideos from Arbor Ridge School
CRT AdministratorCRT Administrator
Ms. Tammy Carver, the CRT of ArborMs. Tammy Carver, the CRT of Arbor
Ridge, plays the role of facilitatorRidge, plays the role of facilitator
for Knights Write!for Knights Write!
She works to find classroom andShe works to find classroom and
tutoring space, parking, solicittutoring space, parking, solicit
students from teachers, and workstudents from teachers, and work
within our 3 hour class time towithin our 3 hour class time to
find a tutoring time for preservicefind a tutoring time for preservice
teachers, the big buddies, to meetteachers, the big buddies, to meet
with little buddies.with little buddies.
Guides our tutoring for the stateGuides our tutoring for the state

10. Mrs. Tammy CarverMrs. Tammy Carver

11. Perspectives from a former KnightsPerspectives from a former Knights
Write! Big Buddy, Ms. TäraWrite! Big Buddy, Ms. Tära
PettengillPettengillMemories and benefitsMemories and benefits
The teacher I have become!The teacher I have become!

12. Perspective from a former Knights Write!Perspective from a former Knights Write!
Big Buddy, Ms. Yanique VaughnBig Buddy, Ms. Yanique Vaughn
1.1. Built a relationship with theBuilt a relationship with the
classroom teacher and otherclassroom teacher and other
staff membersstaff members
2.2. Exposed to making critical,Exposed to making critical,
yet creative lesson plansyet creative lesson plans
3.3. One-on-one instructionOne-on-one instruction
4.4. Academic FocusedAcademic Focused
5.5. A sense of accomplishmentsA sense of accomplishments
6.6. Insight into the child’s lifeInsight into the child’s life
7.7. Enhanced my resumeEnhanced my resume

13. Obstacles from Knights Write! BigObstacles from Knights Write! Big
Buddy and a TeacherBuddy and a Teacher
Not having enough time to complete the lessonNot having enough time to complete the lesson
AbsencesAbsences
Uninterested buddiesUninterested buddies
Timeframe for the programTimeframe for the program

14. PST Perspectives: What’s best?PST Perspectives: What’s best?

15. What am I doing to enhance your learning &What am I doing to enhance your learning &
prepare you to be a teacher?prepare you to be a teacher?
Teaching me different methods to teach LA and teaching me various levels of writingTeaching me different methods to teach LA and teaching me various levels of writing
Sharing experiencesSharing experiences in real life classesin real life classes …what works/what doesn’t…what works/what doesn’t
Allowing us to be part of the learningAllowing us to be part of the learning and allowing us to practice our teachingand allowing us to practice our teaching w/w/
studentsstudents
Introducing creative ways to writeIntroducing creative ways to write
I think you are providing me with very useful resources and when you see the class going inI think you are providing me with very useful resources and when you see the class going in
the wrong direction you stop and focus it in the right directionthe wrong direction you stop and focus it in the right direction
GivingGiving us unique and fun ways to teach our studentsus unique and fun ways to teach our students
P roviding lesson ideas to teach students how to writeP roviding lesson ideas to teach students how to write
W eekly m ini lessonsW eekly m ini lessons
Modeling ideas /Modeling ideas /giving m ini lessonsgiving m ini lessons
Teaching us what all goes into writingTeaching us what all goes into writing
Teaching actual assignments and lessons that can be used in the classroomTeaching actual assignments and lessons that can be used in the classroom
Giving us real situational examples of what things look like in the classroomGiving us real situational examples of what things look like in the classroom
Making us work/write/read a lotMaking us work/write/read a lot
H aving us work with an actual studentH aving us work with an actual student
G iving the opportunity to apply what we are learningG iving the opportunity to apply what we are learning
Lots of great strategies to take into a future classroomLots of great strategies to take into a future classroom
Working through the bookWorking through the book
The class lectures and PowerPoints are really helpful. The book work is helpful, too.The class lectures and PowerPoints are really helpful. The book work is helpful, too.
T his class is a great opportunity to get hands on experience with students. ItT his class is a great opportunity to get hands on experience with students. It
has helped m e realize that just because I plan for things to go a certain wayhas helped m e realize that just because I plan for things to go a certain way
doesn t m ean they will. F lexibility is key.’doesn t m ean they will. F lexibility is key.’

17. T he best part about having a buddyT he best part about having a buddy
is ?…is ?…Teaching new thingsTeaching new things
Love the interaction altogetherLove the interaction altogether
It allows us to put our learning straight to work with studentsIt allows us to put our learning straight to work with students
You get to build a relationship with a student as well as see what works and does not work forYou get to build a relationship with a student as well as see what works and does not work for
studentsstudents
Connecting to students on a 1 on 1 statusConnecting to students on a 1 on 1 status
I love my buddy and I think the best way to learn is to have hands on experience. I wouldI love my buddy and I think the best way to learn is to have hands on experience. I would
definitely want to take a class with buddies againdefinitely want to take a class with buddies again
I love interacting with my buddy and even though I feel a little wobbly sometimes, I think I’mI love interacting with my buddy and even though I feel a little wobbly sometimes, I think I’m
genuinely learning what does/doesn’t workgenuinely learning what does/doesn’t work
I’m gaining experience working with advanced/gifted studentsI’m gaining experience working with advanced/gifted students
The best part about having a buddy is keeping me accountableThe best part about having a buddy is keeping me accountable
Working with buddies is a great experience and really gives us good practice for creating miniWorking with buddies is a great experience and really gives us good practice for creating mini
lessonslessons
Having a buddy does prepare me for one-on-one teaching, which I’m glad to get experienceHaving a buddy does prepare me for one-on-one teaching, which I’m glad to get experience
The hands on experience I get to have. I get to use everything I’ve learned in my classes andThe hands on experience I get to have. I get to use everything I’ve learned in my classes and
apply them to actual studentsapply them to actual students
I am able to practice writing mini lessons; I get experience with a student and not just readingI am able to practice writing mini lessons; I get experience with a student and not just reading
about it in our textbook; I can have a close look at what students today are writing likeabout it in our textbook; I can have a close look at what students today are writing like
It provides me the opportunity to put in practice what I’m learning in the classroomIt provides me the opportunity to put in practice what I’m learning in the classroom
I love working with my buddies. I believe experience is the best way of learningI love working with my buddies. I believe experience is the best way of learning
The best thing about buddies is the interaction and the connectionThe best thing about buddies is the interaction and the connection

18. Most bothersome part aboutMost bothersome part about
buddiesbuddiesGetting my buddy to stay on taskGetting my buddy to stay on task
At the beginning, I think we could have used a little more instruction on what to do with/teach ourAt the beginning, I think we could have used a little more instruction on what to do with/teach our
buddies; we were kind of thrown in blindbuddies; we were kind of thrown in blind
It is hard to think of a whole lesson to do for only 20 minutes; I feel time is rushedIt is hard to think of a whole lesson to do for only 20 minutes; I feel time is rushed
Having to prepare mini lesson is sometimes hard to doHaving to prepare mini lesson is sometimes hard to do
I wish that objectives for mini lessons would be given to us (at least in the beginning). I felt very lostI wish that objectives for mini lessons would be given to us (at least in the beginning). I felt very lost
planning my first couple of mini lessons.planning my first couple of mini lessons.
The most bothersome about having a buddy is having to create a mini lesson every week on top of theThe most bothersome about having a buddy is having to create a mini lesson every week on top of the
intense workload that we are assigned weeklyintense workload that we are assigned weekly
The weekly workload; however it’s not so badThe weekly workload; however it’s not so bad
What bothers me about having a buddy is that it’s every week. It’s difficult to keep up with my other classWhat bothers me about having a buddy is that it’s every week. It’s difficult to keep up with my other class
assignments along with this one – and then to create a lesson for the buddy. I feel like I’m not meetingassignments along with this one – and then to create a lesson for the buddy. I feel like I’m not meeting
her needs.her needs.
I’m always losing my lesson plans in the shuffle. Also, 15 minutes feels like so little time and yet I feelI’m always losing my lesson plans in the shuffle. Also, 15 minutes feels like so little time and yet I feel
stranded sometimes. Finally, finding mentor texts feels extraneous sometimes.stranded sometimes. Finally, finding mentor texts feels extraneous sometimes.
The only bothersome thing is when my buddy seems uninterested I do not know how to change thingsThe only bothersome thing is when my buddy seems uninterested I do not know how to change things
up after my lesson has already been plannedup after my lesson has already been planned
Gets off topic and picks his nose! LOLGets off topic and picks his nose! LOL 
Having to make a mini lesson for themHaving to make a mini lesson for them
I do wish for more guidelines when creating mini lessonsI do wish for more guidelines when creating mini lessons
What I do not like about our buddy system is that we have to have a mentor text EVERY week. I thinkWhat I do not like about our buddy system is that we have to have a mentor text EVERY week. I think
that this leads to me worrying more about the less important things and it may sometimes bethat this leads to me worrying more about the less important things and it may sometimes be
unnecessary for certain activities/lessonsunnecessary for certain activities/lessons
I worry that if I am reaching my buddy or making a differenceI worry that if I am reaching my buddy or making a difference
Sometimes lost on what exactly to teach. Would rather have a list of things the child needs to work on.Sometimes lost on what exactly to teach. Would rather have a list of things the child needs to work on.

19. Student Benefits from Tära PettengillStudent Benefits from Tära Pettengill
and Yanique Vaughnand Yanique Vaughn
One-on-one instructionOne-on-one instruction
Students write about things that interest themStudents write about things that interest them
Students build a big brother/big sisterStudents build a big brother/big sister
relationshipsrelationships
AdvocacyAdvocacy
StatusStatus
Build self esteemBuild self esteem
Author CelebrationAuthor Celebration

20. Young Author Celebration!Young Author Celebration!

21. Perspectives from a former littlePerspectives from a former little
buddybuddy

22. How did we sustain such this long,How did we sustain such this long,
successful relationship?successful relationship?
Supporting childrenSupporting children
Building relationshipsBuilding relationships
Maintaining a positive attitudes/relationshipsMaintaining a positive attitudes/relationships
Reinforcing teachers and classroom practiceReinforcing teachers and classroom practice
Remembering that we are guests!Remembering that we are guests!
Flexibility is key!Flexibility is key!

23. Now that I think about it, there’s aNow that I think about it, there’s a
fourth win! The universityfourth win! The university
instructional leaderinstructional leader
Provides the professor authenticity,Provides the professor authenticity,
legitimacy, environmental context, andlegitimacy, environmental context, and
professional connections.professional connections.
The professor remains cutting edge andThe professor remains cutting edge and
connected to schools, and able to provideconnected to schools, and able to provide
preservice teachers with much neededpreservice teachers with much needed
experience with children at the margins.experience with children at the margins.

24. As KNIGHTS WRITES! travels into the future,As KNIGHTS WRITES! travels into the future,
it’it’s more of a win-win-win-s more of a win-win-win-
win-win!win-win!

25. Conversations and QuestionsConversations and Questions