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Writers Workshop

Writer's workshop is a framework for writing instruction that involves a predictable daily routine including a mini-lesson, independent writing time, conferring, and sharing. The mini-lesson provides explicit writing technique instruction for 5-10 minutes, followed by 20-30 minutes of independent writing where students choose their own topics and the teacher conferences individually. Students then share their writing for 5-10 minutes at the end. Writer's workshop aligns with the Common Core writing standards and 6+1 Traits writing model, which evaluates ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions, and presentation.

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225 views27 pages

Writers Workshop

Writer's workshop is a framework for writing instruction that involves a predictable daily routine including a mini-lesson, independent writing time, conferring, and sharing. The mini-lesson provides explicit writing technique instruction for 5-10 minutes, followed by 20-30 minutes of independent writing where students choose their own topics and the teacher conferences individually. Students then share their writing for 5-10 minutes at the end. Writer's workshop aligns with the Common Core writing standards and 6+1 Traits writing model, which evaluates ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions, and presentation.

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zed
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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WRITER’S WORKSHOP

Getting Started
PONDER THIS…

 “There is a great deal of data


suggesting that improvements in
writing will have a pay-off across
the curriculum.”

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


WHAT IS WRITER’S WORKSHOP?

 Writer’sWorkshop is
a framework for
writing instruction
and practice in the
classroom.
NECESSARY FOUNDATIONS

“Writers do not write with words and


conventions 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 Calkins- A Guide to the Writing Workshop Grades 3-5


WHAT WE KNOW FOR SURE

 Students learn to write best when


they write frequently, for extended
periods of time, on topics of their
own choosing…
COMPONENTS OF WRITER’S WORKSHOP

 Writer’s Workshop follows a predictable pattern of:

 Mini-Lesson (5-10 minutes)


 Independent Writing (20-30 minutes)
 Conferring (during independent writing)
 Sharing (5-10 minutes)

TOTAL TIME: 30-50 minutes


WHAT IS A MINI-LESSON?

 A mini-lesson is explicit instruction in a specific


writing technique taught in a short 5-10 minute
period at the beginning of the workshop.
 There are four components to a mini-lesson and
four types.
MINI-LESSON (10 MINUTES)
 Connection—access prior knowledge
Teacher Talk: Yesterday we…, Today I’m going to…
 Teaching—one skill, method, four types:
1. Procedures and Organization (routines)
2. Strategies and Processes
3. Skills
4. Craft and Technique
Teacher Talk: I want to show you…, Watch and notice…
 Active Involvement—opportunity to practice—turn and talk
Teacher Talk: I invite you to try it in your writing…, Turn and talk
to your partner how you can…
 Link—bring closure to the lesson by linking it to what has been
previously learned
Teacher Talk: So today and everyday…, Now, you know that writers…
As you continue your writing you may want to…
WHAT DOES A MINI-LESSON LOOK LIKE?
Whole Class Instruction: Teaching
Students to Organize Information Texts
to Support a Claim (5-8)

http://vimeo.com/55951303
INDEPENDENT WRITING/CONFERRING
What are the students What is the teacher
doing? doing?

 Writing daily.  Circulating the room,


 Determining the topics monitoring, conferring
they will write about. with individual
students, encouraging
 Using writer’s
and providing help as
notebooks and/or
needed.
folder for organizing
writing.
 Conferring with peers.

 “When you’re done,


you’ve just begun.”
MID-WORKSHOP INTERRUPTIONS (1-2 MINUTES)

 Prepare for partnerships

 Reinforce the mini-lesson

 Teach a new mini-lesson

 Review and older mini-lesson

 Provide a behavior management reminder


SHARING (10-15 MINUTES)
 Students are given
opportunities to share
their writing pieces.
 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 listening and
speaking.
WRITER’S NOTEBOOK/FOLDER

 What real writers use


 Constant composition—may lead to larger pieces
of writing…they may not.
 Provides a place to write and collect:
 What really matters
 What is in my heart
 Things in my life, in this world, that I never want to
forget
 Things that haunt me
 Odd facts, questions, odds & ends, lists, insights,
quotes
 Conversations, specific language or interesting words
WRITER’S WORKSHOP PROCEDURES

Why? Examples

 Make the  What to do if they need to use the


workshop restroom or sharpen pencils.
run  Save and date everything
smoothly.  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
 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
HOW DOES 6 + 1 TRAITS FIT?

Writer’s
Workshop

Common 6 +1
Core Traits
COMMON CORE

WRITING
1. Narrative

2. Informational/Explanatory

3. Argument

Common Core Writing Links: 6th, 7th, 8th


6 + 1 TRAITS

1. IDEAS

2. ORGANIZATION

3. VOICE

4. WORD CHOICE

5. SENTENCE FLUENCY

6. CONVENTIONS

+1: PRESENTATION
6 + 1 TRAITS

ORGANIZATION

CONVENTIONS IDEAS

SENTENCE
VOICE
FLUENCY

WORD CHOICE PRESENTATION


6 + 1 TRAITS
AND
THE 5 STEPS OF THE WRITING PROCESS
PRE-WRITING DRAFTING REVISING EDITING PUBLISHING

Ideas Ideas Ideas Conventions Voice

Organization Organization Organization Presentation

Voice Voice

Word Choice

Sentence
Fluency
6 + 1 TRAITS
Focused
Main Idea

IDEAS Support
Details

Sensory
Details
6 + 1 TRAITS
Lead

ORGANIZATION
Transitions

Conclusion
6 + 1 TRAITS
Dialogue

VOICE Author’s
Purpose

Audience
6 + 1 TRAITS
Strong
Verbs

WORD
CHOICE Figurative
Language

Word
Funeral
6 + 1 TRAITS
Sentence
Length

SENTENCE
FLUENCY Flow

Sentence
Beginnings
6 + 1 TRAITS Paragraphing

CONVENTIONS Subject/Verb
Agreement

Commas

Common Core Language Links: 6th, 7th, 8th


6 + 1 TRAITS
Collaborate in
Many
Discussions

+1 Acknowledge
PRESENTATION Information
Discussed By
Others.

Integrate
Multimedia

Common Core Speaking and Listening Links: 6th, 7th, 8th

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