1. Writer’s Workshop September 20, 2012 Megan Bever September 20, 2012 Megan Bever

2. What is Writer’s Workshop? / Writer's Workshop is a writing technique which can build students' fluency in writing through continuous, repeated exposure to the process of writing.

3. Why does Writer’s Workshop work? / In our First Grade classroom, children learn to write daily through a variety of activities. / Writer's Workshop exposes first grade students to the organization and thought required to create a story or write about a favorite topic. / Since students choose the topic, they are motivated to create and complete works to read to classmates. / The goal is to move children into the writing process by guiding them to use phonetics to stretch out words, copy and use sight words in meaningful ways, create an awareness of punctuation, and refer to outside resources for spelling corrections. / In our First Grade classroom, children learn to write daily through a variety of activities. / Writer's Workshop exposes first grade students to the organization and thought required to create a story or write about a favorite topic. / Since students choose the topic, they are motivated to create and complete works to read to classmates. / The goal is to move children into the writing process by guiding them to use phonetics to stretch out words, copy and use sight words in meaningful ways, create an awareness of punctuation, and refer to outside resources for spelling corrections.

4. What genres do we study? / Personal Narrative / All About / Nonfiction (How to) / Small Moments / Question/Answer / Letters / Poetry / Personal Narrative / All About / Nonfiction (How to) / Small Moments / Question/Answer / Letters / Poetry

5. What is a Mentor Text? / A Mentor Text is used as a way to model different types of genres. / These books are used so that children can see how authors write. / Refer to these throughout the year. / A Mentor Text is used as a way to model different types of genres. / These books are used so that children can see how authors write. / Refer to these throughout the year.

6. How do I help my child with spelling? / Stretch out the sounds in words / Sounds should be accurate / Example- apple “appl” alligator “aligatr” / This is call invented spelling. / Appropriate through 2 nd grade / Stretch out the sounds in words / Sounds should be accurate / Example- apple “appl” alligator “aligatr” / This is call invented spelling. / Appropriate through 2 nd grade

7. What words should my child spell correctly? / Weekly sight words that are on the homework sheet / Should be spelled correctly in isolation, as well as applied to writing / Word family words / Help children to figure out other unknown words / Weekly sight words that are on the homework sheet / Should be spelled correctly in isolation, as well as applied to writing / Word family words / Help children to figure out other unknown words

8. How do I help my child with sight words? / Writing the words / Calling out the words and having your child practice writing words / Putting the words on index cards and playing the game Memory / Finding the words in a book / Writing the words / Calling out the words and having your child practice writing words / Putting the words on index cards and playing the game Memory / Finding the words in a book

9. Should my child use spacing between words? / Yes, children should be using consistent spacing between words. / Use a paperclip, popsicle stick, or other small object to help your child use spaces / Yes, children should be using consistent spacing between words. / Use a paperclip, popsicle stick, or other small object to help your child use spaces

10. How do I help my child with handwriting? / Alphabet sheet with correct letter formation / Encourage your child to write neatly and legibly when he/she is doing homework. / Alphabet sheet with correct letter formation / Encourage your child to write neatly and legibly when he/she is doing homework.

11. Are reading and writing connected? / YES! / Reading and writing processes when taught and practiced together, enhance instruction in both areas. / The connection between reading and writing enables the children to adapt skills learned in one area and apply it to the other. / YES! / Reading and writing processes when taught and practiced together, enhance instruction in both areas. / The connection between reading and writing enables the children to adapt skills learned in one area and apply it to the other.

12. How do I help my child at home with writing? / Let your child watch when you write: / Recipes / Lists / Holiday cards / Have your child keep a journal when you go on a trip. / Have your child write letters to relatives/friends. / Let your child watch when you write: / Recipes / Lists / Holiday cards / Have your child keep a journal when you go on a trip. / Have your child write letters to relatives/friends.

13. What questions do you have?