Launching The Writing Workshop

2 The Writing Workshop  Conceptual development: Lucy Calkins / Donald Graves  Influenced by: Regie Routman and Marie Clay (Reading Recovery)

3 Benefits of Writer’s Workshop  Increased self-esteem Individualized to meet student needs Children tell their stories Children are authors  Student empowerment Children compliment and celebrate Students learn to listen to each other  Risk-free Environment Children write freely using invented spelling

4 Benefits (cont.)  Phonemic Awareness An authentic setting Invented spelling to reinforce phonetic process Direct phonics instruction  Whole class… Introduce a piece of literature Select a phonemic element to develop Children make a class book Book available during writing time

5 Benefits (cont.)  Increased Fluency in Reading & Writing Kids reading their own writing  ELL opportunities Development of oral & written language  Authentic Assessment Writer’s Workshop provides writing samples Writing portfolios

6 Three Components of Writer’s Workshop The three components that make up the writing workshop:  Mini-lesson (10-15 min.)  Writing Time (30-45 min.)  Sharing (5-10 min.)

7 Physical Requirements of Writer’s Workshop  A Meeting Place  A Place for Materials and Tools  Carefully Arranged Desks and Tables

8 Short -Term vs. Long -Term Goals  Short-term goals such as getting the students to love writing, establishing a safe environment so that students can take risks in their writing, and setting up a workable management system to handle flow of paper, folders, and so forth.  Long-term goals are the goals that are included in the Language Arts curriculum. These goals are detailed and may cause panic as to “ how on earth ” is anyone going to cover so many items.

9 Short -Term vs. Long -Term Goals  Short-term goals: *getting students to love writing *establishing a safe environment so that students can take risks in their writing *setting up a workable management system to handle flow of paper, folders, and so forth.  Long-term goals: *Goals included in the Language Arts curriculum of the Iowa Core *These goals are detailed and may cause panic as to “ how on earth ” is anyone going to cover so many items.

10 Short Term Goals  Fostering a Love for Writing Time Regular time Choice Your genuine interest  Establishing a Safe Environment Give specific praise Allow drawing for primary students Read aloud “ from-the- heart ” pieces of writing Use a writer ’ s notebook Write with your students  Creating Workable Classroom Management Finished Box Unfinished Writing Folder Finished Writing Folder

11 The Writing Cycle  Prewriting/Rehearsing  Rough Drafting  Revising  Proofreading  Publishing

12 Conferring with Writers  The writing conference lies at the heart of the writing workshop.  You get to engage with students in a unique on-on-one interaction.  The conference session allows you to talk with a student, get dialogue going, make a suggestion, and exit.

13 Guidelines of the Conference  Listen~ Deep Listening  Be Present as a Reader  Understand the Writer Understand the Writer ’ s Intention Help Them Achieve their Intention  Build on Strengths  Teach One Thing

14 Bibliography Calkins, L. Martinelli, M. (2006). Launching the Writing Workshop. Portsmouth, NH:Heinemann. Fletcher, R. Portalupi, J. (2001) Writing Workshop The Essential Guide. Portsmouth, NH:Heinemann. Hill, B., (2001). Devlopmental Continuums Writing Self-Evaluation Checklists. Norwood, MA:Christopher-Gordon Publishers.

15 “Teach the writer NOT the writing.” Lucy Calkins