1. How to Create Independence in Primary Students’ Writing Robin Howell Second Grade Teacher Hendrix Elementary

2. "Producing writing is not so much like filling a basin or pool once as it is like getting water to keep flowing through until it finally runs clear." --Peter Elbow

3. What Do We Do When We Have Finished A Piece of Writing? Turn and Talk

4. Writer’s Workshop Mini- Lesson Writing Time (Brainstorming, Drawing, Revising and Editing) Conferencing Sharing I’m Done!!!!

5. What Are Problems In Our Classrooms During the Writing Process? Not wanting to wait for feedback Illustrate and not write Procedural Constraints How Writers Work Is it student centered? Are there goals set? I don’t know what to do or where to start Time on task Motivation Are they inspired?

6. Suggestions…

7. What’s the Difference? Creates Dependence Fosters Independence Teacher selects writing prompts Teacher keeps all supplies Teacher helps with spelling of words Students write during assigned time and they are done quickly All students publish at the same time Students select writing topic Materials are available to students Students “write by the sounds they hear” Students plan their writing and writing continues from one sitting to another Students publish on individual basis Adapted from No More “I’m Done!” by Jennifer Jacobson

8. Plan and Gather Decide your goals for your writing for the year Gather Mentor Texts from all types of genres ( Poems, Notes that come on CD’s, cookbooks, plays, magazines) * Whole Class Studies ---Process and Product ( Needs, Interests, Curriculum Objectives, Motivation to challenge)

9. Space Meeting Area Conference Area Writing Center Management Systems Publishing Area Writing Center Supplies Writing Folders Blank Paper Date Stamp and Ink Pad Pencils ( Regular and Colored Alphabet Charts Scissors and Tape Graphic Organizers Editor’s Checklist Scrap Paper and supply request forms Other Possiblities: Stapler, Pens, Crayons, Sticky Notes, Baby Name Book, Children’s Magazines, Hole Punch, Brad Fasteners

10. Routines Mini-Lessons Foster Independence in the Selection of Writing Topics Writing Time Conferencing 1. Set Goal 2. Reflect 3. Point 4. Question 5. Teach One Skill Author’s Chair

12. Jacobson, Jennifer. No More, “I’m Done”. Fostering Independent Writers in the Primary Grades. Portland, Maine: Stenhouse Publishers, 2010 Ray, Katie Wood. Study Driven: A Framework For Planning Units of Study In The Writing Workshop. Portsmouth, New Hampshire: Heinemann, 2006