MESD Early Literacy

Winter 2026 Understanding the Role Inquiry Plays in Sentence Level Writing

MESD Early Literacy is focusing this newsletter on the role inquiry plays in helping students improve writing at the sentence level. Sentences are the building blocks that equip students to scale writing into paragraphs and essays.

Scroll all the way through the newsletter to learn about upcoming opportunities for educators to grow their literacy knowledge. Be equipped to meet the needs of all learners!

Slide Deck

Join a remaining Feb. or March In-person Science of Writing Session - join here!

Content focus is K-5, but those who work in 6th-12th are welcome to attend if you want to learn more about the science of writing.

FEBRUARY SESSION: 2/10/26 or 2/13/26

Science of Writing Series: The Writing Process

This third session will cover the writing process (planning, composing/drafting, revising, and editing) across different types of writing (informational/expository, narrative, and opinion/argumentative). Learn pedagogy for helping students scale their writing from the sentence-level to paragraphs and essays. Oregon's Tribal History Shared History lessons will be a content focus for writing activities.

MARCH SESSION: 3/10/26 or 3/13/26

Science of Writing Series: Writing to Learn

This fourth session will focus on writing to learn and the intersections between the science of reading and the science of writing.

Register for PM Option (12:30-3:30 PM) on 2/10 & 3/10

Register for AM Option (9 AM-12 PM) on 2/13 & 3/13

Language Supports for Equity: Engaging Multilingual Learners in K-5

This series provides practical strategies to support multilingual learners and create linguistically responsive, equitable classrooms.Strengthen language development, literacy, and student engagement within any classroom, including DLI programs.

Oregon Response to Instruction and Intervention Annual Conference

April 15th - 17th in Eugene, OR at The Graduate Hotel. Evidence-Aligned Literacy Instruction for All. Session topics include: effective literacy instruction, school / district leadership, multilingual learners, dyslexia, special education, and MTSS!

The goal of this network is to help you stay up to date on the vast body of research contributing to the science of reading and writing without needing to add another meeting to your calendar. All newsletter contents are shared to generate awareness of resources, local opportunities, and provide professional learning. Archived newsletters are available on the MESD Early Literacy Webpage. If you know someone who would like to be added to this quarterly newsletter have them subscribe here!

Sherrie Kendall, MESD Early Learning/Early Literacy Specialist

Email: skendall@mesd.k12.or.us
Website: https://www.multnomahesd.org/school-improvement.html
Location: 11611 Northeast Ainsworth Circle, Portland, OR, USA

MESD Early Literacy

Supporting educators in the science of reading and writing

Winter 2026 Understanding the Role Inquiry Plays in Sentence Level Writing

FEBRUARY SESSION: 2/10/26 or 2/13/26

MARCH SESSION: 3/10/26 or 3/13/26

Sherrie Kendall, MESD Early Learning/Early Literacy Specialist

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Communicate quickly and effectively with interactive newsletters.

Winter 2026 Understanding the Role Inquiry Plays in Sentence Level Writing

Start with syntax and oral language - do tasks orally before writing Start with syntax and oral language - do tasks orally before writing

Build sentences with dialogue - use talk as a scaffold for writing Build sentences with dialogue - use talk as a scaffold for writing

Use question words with content to write simple and expanded sentences Use question words with content to write simple and expanded sentences

Take advantage of MESD's Early Literacy Professional Learning Take advantage of MESD's Early Literacy Professional Learning

FEBRUARY SESSION: 2/10/26 or 2/13/26

MARCH SESSION: 3/10/26 or 3/13/26

Sign up buttons below will register you for remaining sessions Sign up buttons below will register you for remaining sessions

OR OR

Receive a copy of The Writing Revolution, while supplies last, when you attend. Receive a copy of The Writing Revolution, while supplies last, when you attend.

🔎 Click here and explore MESD's professional learning options. 🔎 Click here and explore MESD's professional learning options.

Do you need help navigating MESD's PDNetworks? Click here for a tutorial. Do you need help navigating MESD's PDNetworks? Click here for a tutorial.

Sherrie Kendall, MESD Early Learning/Early Literacy Specialist

Created with

Communicate quickly and effectively with interactive newsletters.