Writer's Workshop An Introduction

Writers WorkshopAn Introduction

By Diane MooreLiteracy Leader

Hamilton Elementary SchoolWestland, MI 48186

Ponder this…

“There is a great deal of data suggesting that improvements in writing will have a payoff across the curriculum.”

- Lucy Caulkins A Guide to the Writing Workshop Grades 3-5

What is Writers Workshop?

• Writers Workshop is a framework for writing instruction and practice in the classroom.

Components of Writers Workshop

• Writers Workshop follows a predictable pattern of: • Mini-lessons (5-10 minutes)

• Independent Writing (20-30 minutes)

• Conferencing (during independent writing)

• Sharing (5-10 minutes)

• TOTAL WRITING WORKSHOP TIME: 30-50 minutes

What are Mini-lessons?

A Mini-lesson is explicit instruction in a specific writing technique taught in a short 5-10 minute period at the start of the workshop.

• There are 4 types of writing mini-lessons:• Procedures and Organization - routines• Strategies and Processes• Skills• Craft and Techniques

Independent Writing• Students write daily.• Students determine the topics they will write about.• Students use a writer’s notebook and/or folder for

organizing writing.• Students are at different stages of writing.• Teacher’s role is facilitator…circulating the room,

monitoring, encouraging, conferencing, and providing help as needed.

• “When you’re done, you’ve just begun.”

Conferences

• Conferencing occurs during the independent writing time of the workshop.

• Students seek responses from their partners. • Teachers conference with individual students.

Sharing• This is an integral part to the writer’s

workshop.• Students are given opportunities to share their

writing piece.• This time allows writers to learn from each

other and to see/hear good examples of writing.

• This time also allows for students to practice speaking orally.

Writers Notebook• Constant composition - These may lead to larger pieces of

writing … they may not.• A place to write• What moves you?

Heart Mapping What really matters? What in my life, in this world, do I never want to forget? What haunts me?

• Odd facts, questions, odds and ends, lists, insights, quotes• Stop and smell the roses• Conversations, language, words

Procedures for Writers Workshop

• Procedures make your classroom run smoothly.

• Procedures may include when students can sharpen their pencils, where to find important papers, or what to do if they need to use the restroom.

• The following are examples of what may be included in a classroom’s procedures.

Procedures for Writers Workshop

• Save Everything• Date and Label Everything• Write on one side of the paper and skip lines on a draft• Write in ink so I can see your edits…never erase on your

draft pieces.• Understand that writing is thinking. Do nothing to distract

me or other writers.• When you confer with me or others – use a 6 inch voice• When you are stuck, use the resources in the room and the

techniques you have been shown to help you

Necessary foundations for the writing workshop…

“We need to teach every child to write. Almost every day, every K-5 child needs between fifty and sixty minutes for writing and writing instruction.”

– Lucy Caulkins A Guide to the Writing Workshop Grades 3-5 p.7


“Writers do not write with words and convention alone; writers write above all with meaning. Children will invest themselves more in their writing if they are allowed – indeed, if they are taught – to select their own topics and to write about subjects that are important to them.”

-Lucy Caulkins A Guide to the Writing Workshop Grades 3-5 p.9


“Children deserve to be explicitly taught the skills and strategies of effective writing, and the qualities of good writing.”

- Lucy Caulkins A Guide to the Writing Workshop Grades 3-5 p.10


“Writers read. Writers read texts of all sorts, and we read as insiders, aiming to learn specific strategies for writing well.”

- Lucy Caulkins A Guide to the Writing Workshop Grades 3-5 p.11

Benefits of Writers Workshop• Prioritizes writing instruction.• There is no time wasted with students waiting for

other students to finish.• Students develop independence and motivation to be

writers.• Students learn to evaluate their own writing in order

to improve it.• The more children write…and write about what

really matters to them…the greater their chance of growing into able thinkers.

• Sets a collaborative tone to the classroom.• Addresses the needs of differentiated instruction.

In closing, a few notes…

• Flexible model.• Provides the framework for your writing

instruction.• Where does W-W stand on this approach?

• MEAP scores• Kits district-wide • Inservice byW-W

Education

Writer's Workshop An Introduction