What is Writing Workshop?
Writers’ Workshop is an approach to writing instruction that addresses the needs of all students in the class. Writers’ Workshop begins with a focus lesson where the teacher explicitly models the process and conventions of writing. After the focus lesson, students write independently for an extended period of time. During independent writing, the teacher confers with individual students to assess progress and provide 1:1 instruction to help students grow as writers. Sometimes the teacher may work with a small group of students who share similar writing needs during the independent writing time. Finally, Writers’ Workshop ends with a group share where students discuss and share their writing.
What do students write?
Instruction during Writers’ Workshop is organized around units of study (e.g., personal narrative, poetry, nonfiction). During a unit of study, the teacher may ask students to write in a particular genre, or practice writing techniques related to the unit of study, but specific writing topics are selected by the students based on their personal experiences and interests.
Why do Writers' Workshop?
We use the Writers’ Workshop model for a number of reasons, including the following:
What does Writers' Workshop look like?
Mini Lesson
Each workshop begins with a meeting in which a skill or strategy is modeled. We use this resource: Units of Study for Primary Writers written by Lucy Caulkins. During this 10-15 minutes, I will write a story of my own, modeling the strategy we will be working on. The students will be engaged orally, as well as practically, using white boards to demonstrate understanding before going to write on their own.
Writing Time
Students have a chance to practice using the new skills taught during the meeting during this personal writing time. Writing folders contain special writing papers, personal word walls, and writing projects. The children can continue working on unfinished projects, adding to previous pieces, or editing. During this time, the teacher can confer with individuals regarding skills that they are working on.
Sharing
Time is utilized at the end of writing workshop for children to share what they have practiced. By allowing a time to showcase, all children are engaged in learning from each other. (Of course, in our classroom, all students are always afforded the "Right to Pass" if they are not ready to share or are not comfortable. I will never force anyone to read aloud in front of the class.)
Writers’ Workshop is an approach to writing instruction that addresses the needs of all students in the class. Writers’ Workshop begins with a focus lesson where the teacher explicitly models the process and conventions of writing. After the focus lesson, students write independently for an extended period of time. During independent writing, the teacher confers with individual students to assess progress and provide 1:1 instruction to help students grow as writers. Sometimes the teacher may work with a small group of students who share similar writing needs during the independent writing time. Finally, Writers’ Workshop ends with a group share where students discuss and share their writing.
What do students write?
Instruction during Writers’ Workshop is organized around units of study (e.g., personal narrative, poetry, nonfiction). During a unit of study, the teacher may ask students to write in a particular genre, or practice writing techniques related to the unit of study, but specific writing topics are selected by the students based on their personal experiences and interests.
Why do Writers' Workshop?
We use the Writers’ Workshop model for a number of reasons, including the following:
- The Writers’ Workshop supports and complements Readers’ Workshop
- Writing craft and conventions are explicitly modeled
- Assessment drives instruction
- Students have choice and ownership in their writing
- Experiences foster self-expression and a love of writing
What does Writers' Workshop look like?
Mini Lesson
Each workshop begins with a meeting in which a skill or strategy is modeled. We use this resource: Units of Study for Primary Writers written by Lucy Caulkins. During this 10-15 minutes, I will write a story of my own, modeling the strategy we will be working on. The students will be engaged orally, as well as practically, using white boards to demonstrate understanding before going to write on their own.
Writing Time
Students have a chance to practice using the new skills taught during the meeting during this personal writing time. Writing folders contain special writing papers, personal word walls, and writing projects. The children can continue working on unfinished projects, adding to previous pieces, or editing. During this time, the teacher can confer with individuals regarding skills that they are working on.
Sharing
Time is utilized at the end of writing workshop for children to share what they have practiced. By allowing a time to showcase, all children are engaged in learning from each other. (Of course, in our classroom, all students are always afforded the "Right to Pass" if they are not ready to share or are not comfortable. I will never force anyone to read aloud in front of the class.)
How can you help at home?
Your children will be learning to write in our class— not just writing letters and matching letters to sounds they hear in words, but learning to be authors. Here is what they will be doing and how you can help them:
• They will be selecting topics. You can help by asking them each morning: What will you write about today?
• They will be labeling their drawings and creating messages.
• They will be trying out new writing skills. You can help by asking: What skill or writing trait were you trying to
use in this writing? What is the writing skill or trait your class is focusing on this week?
• They will be sharing their writing and asking their peers questions like: Does this make sense? Is this
interesting?
• They will be revising by adding details.
• They will be editing their own work all by themselves for spelling, punctuation, and capitalization.
• They will be publishing some of their work.
When you see their work, you can help by talking to them about the content— what the writing is about. Here are some comments and questions that help a young author.
• I like this.... (picture, letter, label, word)
• Did you tell all about the picture?
• Can you tell me more about...?
• What else do you know about this?
• What will your next piece be about?
You, their audience and readers, will need to bear with them as they learn their craft. Receive their writing in the same spirit of encouragement that you do their music, art, and sports performances. That will help them become the best they can be.
adapted from Smekens Education Solutions, Inc.