WOLF LAKE ELEMENTARY

REBECA GRYSKOPRESENTER

The Basics

What is Writing Workshop?

Method of teaching writing using a workshop method

Students are given opportunities to write independently and helps foster a love of writing

Allows teachers to meet students’ needs by differentiating instruction based on information gathered throughout the workshop

Why Implement Writing Workshop?

Recently, a needs assessment survey was administered to classroom teachers and specialists at Wolf Lake Elementary School.

The purpose of the survey was to examine teachers’ perspective of the reading/language arts instructional program.

Only 44% of participants feel that their students have adequate opportunities to write independently.

Goal : Teachers will effectively implement Writing Workshop to provide students with increased opportunities to write independently.

Components of Writing Workshop

Time Component

5 minutes Read Aloud

10-15 minutes Mini-Lesson

30-60 minutes Independent Writing and Conferring

Guided Writing

5-10 minutes Sharing

Read Alouds

When teachers use Writing Workshop, they generally focus on a specific genre (personal narratives, informational writing, procedural writing, etc.).

Read alouds allows teachers to use authors as models for specific writing styles and genres.

Teachers are not required to read the entire text. Instead, choose important excerpts to read aloud.

Mini-Lesson

Mini-lessons teach concepts, strategies, and techniques for writing.

Provides direct instruction and modeling Possible mini lessons include:

Punctuation Details Personification Dialogue

Here is a mini-lesson planning sheet from BTC to help you plan!

Independent Writing

The most time is devoted to independent writing. Teachers should help students build stamina by beginning with a

short amount of independent writing time and building up to 30 minutes or more.

Keep track of students’ progress with a chart like the one shown here.

Students can also be involved in other activities during their independent writing time: Writing in their schema notebook Journal writing Conducting peer-conferences Reading to support writing

The Writing Process

•During independent writing time, students work through the five stages of the writing process.

•Students may not all be working at the same stage as once.

Conferring

During independent writing time, the teacher meets with either individual students or small groups to provide suggestions and feedback.

The teacher should keep anecdotal records which include: Date of conference Observations Discussion dialogue

Watch an example of a writing conference between a student and teacher.

Guided Writing

During independent writing time, students can meet in a small group with the teacher to work on guided writing.

Similar to guided reading, the teacher forms groups based on students’ needs.

Guided writing is especially helpful when a group of students are struggling with the same concept.

Watch an example of a guided writing session.

Sharing

Many teachers dismiss this component due to lack of time, but allowing students to share their writing is CRITICAL!

The sharing component allows students to share what they did during independent writing time with either the entire class or with a peer.

Sharing enables students to learn from one another.

Helpful Tips

Have writing folders with students’ names on them to store writing resources, rough drafts, and final copies.

Make sure there is a World Wall available for student use.

Provide each student with a composition notebook to use as a writer’s notebook.

Decide how you will organize your informal student data, such as anecdotal records.

Establish a “writing area” for children to write independently.

Inform parents of the writing program through newsletters, parent night, etc.

Questions?

Helpful Resources http://

busyteacherscafe.com/literacy/writing_workshop.html http://

www.tips-for-teachers.com/writersworkshop.htm http://

www.davidson.k12.nc.us/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectiondetailid=28162