1. Writers’ Workshop Writers’ Workshop is …..
a time to learn to write through daily practice by using a process of thinking, sharing, writing, revising, editing and publishing.

2. Typical Day in Writers’ Workshop
Mini-lesson
Writing Time –
Sharing with a classmate or teacher
Writing independently
Closure – Sharing writing and focusing on student writing that exemplifies what was taught in the mini-lesson

3. Writing is a process.
Writing is putting your thoughts into words and sentences. Then writing the sentences in a coherent order for others to read.
Putting thoughts into sentences can be difficult—that’s why a process is important.

4. The writing process.
Think
Share
Write
Revise
Edit
Publish

5. Step One – Think
Think – There are many ways to think about writing—it depends upon what you plan to write.
If you are writing a narrative story –read other narrative stories…

6. Step Two – Share
Before you begin to write, tell another classmate or teacher your story. Talking about your story helps you to organize your thoughts and begin to write. Your listener may ask you some questions to help clarify your story ideas.

7. Step Three – Write
Now, begin to write. Remember to use a pen for your first draft. Don’t worry about mistakes. Cross a line through a mistake and keep writing.

8. Step Four – Revise
Read or share your story with a classmate or teacher. Your friend will help you to determine if it makes sense.
Big Question – Does it make sense?

9. Step Five – Edit Check for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.
Circle words that appear to be misspelled.
Capitalize the beginning of a sentence.
End a sentence with a period, exclamation point, or a question mark.

10. Step Six - Publish
Present your work to the public. Write or type your best copy to share with others.

11. Resources for teachers.
Dorn, Linda J. and Soffos, Carla, Scaffolding Young Writers – A Writers’ Workshop Approach , Stenhouse Publishers, Portland, Maine, 2001.
Fountas, Irene C. and Pinnell, Gay Su. Guiding Readers and Writers Grades 3-6, Heinemann, Portsmouth, N.H., 2001.
Illinois State Board of Education, Principal’s Flipchart for Literacy Instruction.