Testimonials

Educators

“Children are no longer terrified to write and gain confidence in their own ability to produce a coherent final product.”
Jackie Mitchell, Teacher
Indian Mound Elementary School

“Ms. Cosner’s approach was so easy to learn and so easy to teach our students. It helps students organize their thoughts when answering longer written responses.”
Jan McMillan
Curriculum and Professional Development Coordinator
Upper Sandusky & Carey Schools

“Thank you for taking the time out of your busy beginning of the year schedule to share our “Making It Work Together” county in-service training. We had many positive comments on our evaluations forms regarding your session on “Writing Across the Curriculum”. The concepts you shared are important to both regular and special education teachers.”
Planning Committee, Mercer County

“As a thirty year veteran classroom teacher, I have found that writing can be a challenging part of the curriculum for students to master. As a teacher, writing instruction can be especially frustrating when trying to get a student to produce a proficient piece of writing. Four years ago, I attended a Formula Writing workshop conducted by Janet Cosner. Little did I know I would come away from that workshop with writing techniques that I continue to use today. The beauty of Formula Writing is that it is a process that provides students with structure that can be transferred to any content area or writing product. Any added bonus is that I have seen test scores improve! Not only is Formula Writing practical but it is also fun for the students and fun for me, the teacher, to see such great results. I highly recommend Formula Writing techniques to all teachers across all content areas and grade levels.”
Linda Lupton
4th Grade Teacher
Case Elementary School
Cleveland, Ohio

“I received the copy of your book over a month ago, and I want to thank you for sending it to me. I was excited about getting the book and finding out that it was the same program I have been using for the past six years. I purchased Formula Writing 1in 1996 when I became frustrated with teaching the writing process using our text. I have had fantastic success with your program. My 8th grade students immediately began to show improvement. They finally had an easy, understandable structure to follow. Our school’s state scores have risen from 33% proficiency to 89% proficiency. Our state SAT reading scores are improving as well, and I attribute that success to the writing program.”
Mary Craig
Idaho

“Jan’s Formula Writing was both inspiring and life saving! Her systematic approach to writing is easy to implement at any grade level and can be used across the curriculum. The graphic organizers she has developed are student friendly, and the writing checklists make assessment easy for both the teacher and student. We believe you will be 100% satisfied with your student’s writing ability if you follow Jan’s recipe for writing success.”
Kathleen Danevich, 2nd Grade Teacher
Mary Beth Kelly, 3rd Grade Teacher

“I am currently implementing your Formula Writing strategies, ideas and concepts. I am finding much success. You are fabulous”
Workshop Attendee

“I would like to express my deep appreciation for the writing course manuals that you sent me this summer. My school here in Kazahkstan has been extremely enthusiastic about learning to write. I have found the greatest joy in giving them a new avenue in which they can study the English language. Thank you for your time and consideration.”
Jessica L. Opper

“The Formula Writing process presented by Janet Cosner has been widely used in the Painesville Township Local schools by faculty members across all grade levels for the past four years. District Proficiency scores in writing continue to rise. A dedicated faculty with a commitment to best practices in writing including the Formula Writing process is a winning combination.”
Dr. M. Shoaf
Rocky River Superintendent

“Using Jan Cosner’s Formula Writing process has helped my students become more confident writers. They grasp the logic and ease behind the formula and utilize it to compose detailed and vivid writing pieces. Moreover, they have developed the ability to construct thorough responses to Ohio Proficiency Test questions. Introducing students to Formula Writing is one of the greatest ways teachers can help students maximize their writing potentials!”
Kim Kauffman
6th Grade Teacher
Midview Local Schools

“This is my tenth year of being a principal. In both an affluent suburb school with an excellent school rating and a small town school that has moved out of academic watch into continuous improvement, Jan Cosner’s Formula Writing Workshops for Teachers have been the single most important in-service I have organized for teachers. In both cases, district administrators in the intermediate, middle and high schools heard about the positive teacher feedback and organized workshops for their teachers. As a result, in both of the districts where I have been principal, we have seen our writing scores improve. We have also seen improvement in the way our students answer the short and extended questions in reading, math, social studies and science on the proficiency tests.”
Linda Dawson
Prospect Elementary School

“Jan’s writing method is so simple, it’s profound. My students, especially the LD students, actually thanked me for their great test results on their proficiency test: 99% passed.”
Workshop Attendee

“I like the step by step approach of Jan’s writing method. It is easy to understand and explain to my students.”
Workshop Attendee

“Grading is much easier because of the writing charts. My students know what I expect from them. Going over the writing chart with students before they write is brilliant.”
Workshop Attendee

“I like the flexibility of the program. I can change the number of examples and the length of the paragraphs depending on the ability level of my students.”
Workshop Attendee

“Anxious to start implementing in 2nd grade class. Writing has always been a weakness and now I feel more confident to teach it to my students.”
Workshop Attendee

Parents

“My son experienced a great deal of anxiety when presented with a written assignment. When his teachers learned and used Formula Writing, he felt much more comfortable. The structure of Formula Writing helped take large assignments and approach them in smaller steps.”
Pam Ferrell, Parent

Students

“I felt hopeless about passing the Writing Proficiency test until I learned how to write using Ms. Cosner's writing method.”
Student

“For the first time I understand how to structure my essays.”
Student

“I liked becoming a detective and searching for clues in reading.”
Student

“Last year in 3rd I was not very good in my writing skills. After that I practiced writing in paragraphs and sentences. When I write now I do better on making interesting sentences. You taught me lots of things….now I feel so happy that I can write a paragraph. Thank you for your help.”
Niayla, 4th grader

“Last year I wrote like a kindergartener because I didn’t have any adverbs in my writing. You taught me how to put “snap words” in my writing. I like to write about my friends and family.”
Myiesha, 4th grader

“Now since I can write a paragraph, I feel like I’m in a higher grade. Now there are people who admire my writing.”
Willie, 4th grader

“Thank you for inventing Formula Writing.”
Rajeen, 4th grader