Writer’s Workshop K-2

1. Writer’s Workshop K-2 Family Literacy Night CristinPozniak & Beth Votroubek Rosa Lee Carter Elementary April 3, 2014

2. What is Writer’s Workshop? • Writer’s Workshop is a framework for daily writing instruction and practice in the classroom.

3. Components of Writer’s Workshop • Mini lesson 5-10 minutes • Independent writing 15-20 minutes • Conferencing (during independent writing) • Sharing 5-10 minutes

4. What are Mini Lessons? • Mini lessons are short lessons about a specific writing element, procedure or skill. • Books to introduce/model skills • Teacher modeling/writing • Authors as mentors

5. Independent Writing time • Children choose topics they write about • Children are working at their level. • Teacher acts as facilitator – circulating around the room helping when needed.

6. “When you’re done you’ve just begun.” • During independent writing time students are able to: • Add to the words • Add to the pictures • Start a new piece

7. Student Guided Writing Writer’s Workshop Prompt Writing Students are writing about a topic someone else has chosen. Students cannot move onto another piece of writing until piece is completed. Student work is largely for teacher’s eyes only. • Students are working on self chosen topics. • Students are able to work on more than one piece of writing at a time. • Students are able to choose a favorite piece to share.

8. Writing Conferences • Student meets with teacher to discuss skills/elements/techniques specific to child. • Student receives feedback about his/her specific piece of writing. • Students meet with their writing partners to get feedback and encouragement.

9. “Teach the writer and not the writing. Our decisions must be guided by what might help this writer rather than what might help this writing.” ~Lucy Calkins

10. Sharing Time • Students are given the opportunity to share their writing. • Allows writers to learn from each other and see models of good writing. • Helps with oral language development.

11. Writer’s Workshop Folders • Heart Map/Topic List • Story maps and planners • Quick Words Book • “Go” Writing • “Stopped” Writing • Editing and Revising Checklists

12. What will you see? • Narrative writing: Small Moments • Nonfiction writing: How-To books, All About books, Question & Answer books • Opinion writing: Persuasive Letters, Book Reviews, In My Opinion… • Fiction writing: Fairytales, Imaginative Stories, Realistic Fiction • Additional Units- Pattern Books, Poetry, Author Studies

13. How can you help your child at home? • Create a writing space • Have writing supplies on hand: • Writing paper: premade books, plain paper, journals, note pads, and notebooks • Writing tools: pencils, crayons, erasers, stapler, and colored pencils • Involve your child with your writing tasks: • Lists: grocery, to-do, etc. • Letters, emails, cards