Launching Writer’s Workshop in the Secondary English Classroom Liz Fisher Erie 1 BOCES March 18,

Writer’s Workshop Principles Time – students have the time to write independently Ownership – students choose what they want to write Reflection – students reflect as writers in meaningful ways Community – the classroom becomes a community of learners engaged in authentic writing

Workshop Foundations Mini-lesson Independent Writing Conferencing Sharing

Read Aloud Make sure you have read the book/selection before you read it out loud to students Reserve time everyday to read aloud Be dramatic, become a ham Select a variety of genres and authors Read what “moves you” and share why This becomes the model for good writing

Mini-lesson Explicit teaching Teacher models as students participate Responsive to students’ needs Whole group or small group No more than 15 minutes

Independent Writing Students engage in sustained writing Teacher confers with students individually in regards to their writing Students confer with each other during this time as well (peer review)

Conferencing Teacher formatively assesses students and responds with feedback Teacher talks with students and provides strategy instruction based on individual needs Teacher makes notes of conversation for tracking of student’s progress, strengths or weaknesses Fosters communication between students and teacher Occurs when students are writing

Sharing Implemented during the final portion of class time Promotes communication among peers Fosters academic discourse Motivational in nature Allows students to verbalize their learning