Writing Lab

Located in the room to the right of the front desk in Inquiry Zone 1, the Sydney Lauren Tabakin Writing Lab at Homestead High School promotes writing excellence across the curriculum for all students. Historically known as the ISWAC lab, which stood for “Improve Student Writing Across the Curriculum," our lab encourages all content area staff members to confidently assign writing with the understanding that students can further hone their skills and receive meaningful feedback by visiting and working one-on-one with an English teacher. In the age of AI, the Homestead English Department remains 100% committed to teaching writing. Learning to write is a way to learn to think. We value every stage of the writing process, difficult as it may be, as essential to growth and to retention of learning. Writing also connects us and humanizes us. We consider the ability to connect one-on-one with students to discuss their ideas and written work a great privilege. 

Homestead’s Writing Lab directly influences students in attaining their goals, allowing them to engage in a conference at any point in the writing process: prompt analysis, planning, drafting, editing, or proofreading. Some students visit the lab to access a thought partner during the prewriting process; others seek help working through a challenge when drafting; many ask for editing suggestions or a final proofread after working for a long time on a paper. All come to access a new perspective on their work. No matter the course, year in school, or the level, Homestead students make use of this opportunity. 

Supported financially by the Tabakin family for many years and now funded by MTEF, the lab is now called the Sydney Lauren Tabakin Writing Lab as a memorial for a beloved student whose college essay hangs in the lab in honor of her life. We edit hundreds of college essays every year, marking a profoundly important value of the service provided. The Writing Lab provides students with a sense of confidence based on dialogue with the lab teacher who will offer input and advice about phrasing, content, and style.

Upon entering college or the workforce, Homestead graduates often report that their writing skills are superior to their counterparts, a testament not only to the overall work of Homestead teachers but also to access to a writing lab. 

Students with papers from an English class or from across the curriculum may visit the in-person lab, located in I Zone 1, our school library. In some cases, students may ask a teacher about the possibility of going to the lab during class. The after-school lab is also open Monday through Thursday. If a student has senior privilege during 1st or 5th hour and wants to visit the writing lab, they can arrange the visit through Mr. Tony Navarre at anavarre@mtsd.k12.wi.us. 

Hours of Service

Monday-Friday: Hours 1, 2, 3A Lunch, 4, & 5

Monday-Thursday: 2:40-3:15 p.m.