Writer’s Workshop 101 Susan Goro “Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.” ~Louis L’amour

What does it look like? http://applesofyoureye.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-basics-of-writers-workshop.html

Mini lessons 5 – 15 minutes in length Done as a whole group Teacher uses mentor text to show examples of teaching point (can be just a portion of the story) Students jot down quick notes & refer to their writing to find an example of teaching point. They can star/highlight a part to focus on later Topics may include: Dialogue Punctuation/grammar Powerful endings Interesting hooks Vivid details Non-fiction text features

Resource for Mentor Texts http://www.justbooksreadaloud.com/

Mini Lessons Ideas… https://writersworkshopk6.wikispaces.com/file/view/Topics%20for%20Mini%20Lessons.pdf/178903709/Topics%20for%20Mini%20Lessons.pdf https://writersworkshopk6.wikispaces.com/file/view/writingmini-lessonoutlinebyKelley.pdf/178909565/writingmini-lessonoutlinebyKelley.pdf https://writersworkshopk6.wikispaces.com/file/view/K-2%20Writers%20Workshop%20-%20Mini%20Lesson%20and%20Unit%20Possibilities.pdf/327749462/K-2%20Writers%20Workshop%20-%20Mini%20Lesson%20and%20Unit%20Possibilities.pdf http://www.theeducatorsnetwork.com/webpages/thewriteresource/minilessonoverview.htm

Analyzing (or revising) exemplars with the class during mini lessons

1 : 1 Writing Conferences & Independent Writing You can meet at their table or they can come to your table Benefits other students to overhear your advice to their peers Meetings should be quick & goal- oriented (5 min.) They stay at table and rotate into the “author’s chair” They leave with a goal on a sticky or written into their journal Keep anecdotal notes on each student for reference Students write continuously and without interrupting you

Resource for Conferences https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Writing-Conference-Documentation-Freebie-1659726

Partner T.A.G. T = Tell them something they can add or change After independent writing time, students get with a partner (pre- chosen) and take turns reading one of their stories to each other. They can use a checklist while one partner reads to see if they included all the necessary parts. This part of writer’s workshop is a privilege and can be taken away  T = Tell them something they can add or change A = Ask them a thoughtful question about their writing G = Give them a compliment (something you liked about their writing or writing style)

Resources for Writing Checklist https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Back-to-School-Assessments-Narrative-Writing-Prompts-317171 https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Writing-Checklists-for-the-Primary-Classroom-670155

Closing Meeting Author of the day reads their story or favorite part to class Recap teaching point or mini lesson

“When you’re done, you’ve just begun.”

Heart maps: what do you love? Favorite color Hobbies Favorite food Activities Important people in their life School subject Books Movies Favorite sports Restaurants Memorable holidays Pets Special memory ABCs of heart mapping Places they like to visit Heart maps: what do you love?

Publishing Party Will occur when students have at least 1-2 “final” products for that genre Teacher chooses a mystery class to pair up with for shared reading of writing pieces. The T.A.G. format is still applied as feedback during the exchange Helps students to celebrate their writing progress

Student Friendly Rubrics Resource for Student Friendly Rubrics https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Common-Core-Writing- Rubrics-FREE-Grades-1-4-863723

Additional Writer’s Workshop Resources http://blogs.muskegonisd.org/writers3to6/files/2009/03/3-6-09-report- research-unit-of-study.pdf http://northernenglishpowell.wikispaces.com/file/view/PersonalNarrativeD etailedLessons.pdf

“The most valuable resource that all teachers have is each other “The most valuable resource that all teachers have is each other. Without collaboration, our growth is limited to our own perspectives.” ~Robert John Meehan ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ What is something that has worked for you in the past that you’d like to share?

THANK YOU! Susan.goro@santeesd.net Twitter: @msgoro Instagram: ms_goro