Discovering the Writerly Life: A Workshop for Elementary Teachers

1. A Just Write Life A Workshop for Elementary Writing TeachersCypress-Fairbanks I.S.D.

2. Let’s Go Nuts • Group yourself by finding other “nuts” who are just like you. • Share your nutty experiences with one another. • Vote on the nuttiest story in your group. Julie Anderson & Charmion Mohning, 2009 - Cy-Fair I.S.D.

3. One Perspective on Writing “This writing business. Pencils and what-not. Over-rated, if you ask me. Silly stuff. Nothing in it.” Eeyore Julie Anderson & Charmion Mohning, 2009 - Cy-Fair I.S.D.

4. Stop & Jot: My Writing Beliefs • Take a moment to reflect upon and record some of your beliefs about writing on the first page in your writing notebook. • You may wish to craft a written conversation with a political giant such as President Obama or a writing giant such as Lucy Calkins. Julie Anderson & Charmion Mohning, 2009 - Cy-Fair I.S.D.

5. Workshop Expectations

6. The Big Picture Julie Anderson & Charmion Mohning, 2009 - Cy-Fair I.S.D.

7. Workshop Expectations Participants will live the writerly life by: • reading and responding to professional mentor texts • collecting seeds in a writing notebook • selecting and developing a seed into a “polished” draft • reflecting on personal writing experiences • sharing ideas within the writing community • completing “home fun” activities Julie Anderson & Charmion Mohning, 2009 - Cy-Fair I.S.D.

8. Our Ground Rules No Hunting Actively Participate Have Fun! Seek Relevance Silence Cell Phone Julie Anderson & Charmion Mohning, 2009 - Cy-Fair I.S.D.

9. “Right Stuff” Tickets Julie Anderson & Charmion Mohning, 2009 - Cy-Fair I.S.D.

10. Your Story Matters. Tell It. It is the writer who might catch the imagination of young people, and plant a seed that will flower and come to fruition. Isaac Asimov Julie Anderson & Charmion Mohning, 2009 - Cy-Fair I.S.D.

11. Today’s Objectives Teachers will: • analyze their beliefs about writing instruction • set up a personal writing notebook and engage in reflective writing • examine what it means to live a writerly life and discuss the importance of teachers as writers • examine the structures and qualities necessary for establishing an effective community of writers within a writing workshop classroom Julie Anderson & Charmion Mohning, 2009 - Cy-Fair I.S.D.

12. The Writing Notebook

13. A Writer’s Notebook • A writer’s notebook gives you a place to live like a writer, not just in school during writing time, but wherever you are, at any time of day. Ralph Fletcher Julie Anderson & Charmion Mohning, 2009 - Cy-Fair I.S.D.

14. A Just Write Notebook Julie Anderson & Charmion Mohning, 2009 - Cy-Fair I.S.D.

15. A Mirror to Ourselves • Who is this kid with the funny name? Well, that depends on who you ask. Julie Anderson & Charmion Mohning, 2009 - Cy-Fair I.S.D.

16. Who is Julie Anderson? • Let’s ask her nephew, Alec. He probably has a few choice words to describe Aunt Ju Ju. Julie Anderson & Charmion Mohning, 2009 - Cy-Fair I.S.D.

17. Quick Write: Collecting Seeds • Write to answer the question, “Who is (your name)?” using the lens of someone (or something) that knows you. • Family Member • Friend • Pet • Toy • Special Object • Imaginative Character Julie Anderson & Charmion Mohning, 2009 - Cy-Fair I.S.D.

18. R.A.F.T. Writing Strategy • The RAFT structure provides students with a fresh way to think critically and creatively about their approach to a writing task. Julie Anderson & Charmion Mohning, 2009 - Cy-Fair I.S.D.