• Writers Workshop

     

    What is the Objective of the Writer's Workshop?

    • Matches individual writers

    • Teaches independence

    • Explicitly teaches strategies and skills to become better writers    

    • Values time spent writing, the volume of writing, and a variety of writing experiences   

    • Follows predictable structures and routines  

     

    The 3 Parts of Reader's Workshop: 

    1. Mini-Lessons 

    2. Independent Writing with Conferences 

    3. Sharing

     Mini-Lessons: 

    • 5-10 minute lessons  

    • Short, focused, and direct instruction on one aspect of writing  

    • Topics come from standards, units of study, and from teacher assessments of what most of the class needs.  

    • Students are engaged, jotting notes in their notebooks and ready to go back to their seats to demonstrate those skills in their independent writing. 

    Independent writing with Conferences: 

    • 20-40 minutes  

    • Students are engaged in FVW (free, voluntary writing), using strategies learned in mini-lessons, sometimes meeting with partners/groups, and also reading their writing  

    • The teacher is individualizing the instruction for everyone during conferences  

    • Students are using a writer's notebook, other paper, or a computer

    Sharing: 

    • 5-10 minutes  

    • Gather students together to use students’ work and experiences to illustrate teaching points.  

    • The teacher celebrates or summarizes what he or she observed or talked about with students.  

    • Students can share examples of their learning.