Jee Young Kim & Elaine Lee March 11, 2011 Asia Pacific International School Hook Your Students on Writing

Writing Workshop Model  Writing Workshop is about giving students the opportunity to live like real writers.  Students are involved in the writing process through various units of study.  Students have a writer’s notebook where they records ideas, thoughts, and drafts.

What does the structure of a writing workshop lesson look like?  Mini-lesson: 10-15minutes  Work Time: minutes  Teacher is conferring with students at this time or giving small group instruction.  Share: 5-10 minutes

Mini-lesson  Short Instruction on one aspect of writing -craft, process, convention  Explicit Instruction  Students practice the teaching point  Usually in a meeting area (Rug area)  Students sit next to writing partners.

Mini-lesson Structure Connection- Connect the lesson to students, state the teaching Point Teaching- Explicit teaching Active Engagement- Students have a chance to practice Link- Restate the teaching point

Work Time  A quiet time of students working on their writing. (Music playing)  Students are using the strategy/lesson learned during the mini-lesson.  Teacher goes around conferring with individual students on their writing or holds a group conference.  Teacher records what was discussed during the conference.

Share Time  Develops a community of writers  Provides an audience  Develops communication skills  Teacher directs the share time  Writers share & celebrate their writing

Video clip of the Writing Workshop Model in our classrooms.

What is the writer’s notebook? A place where writer’s record ideas, inspiration, thoughts, and drafts. Includes all genres of writing Students have choice in what they write about.

How does the writer’s notebook fit into the writing process? Adapted from the work of Randy Bomer, A Time For Meaning

Launching the Writing Workshop

Strategies for Generating Personal Narrative Writing  Think of a person who matters to you, then list clear, small moments you remember with him or her. Choose one to sketch and then write the accompanying story.  Think of a place that matters to you, then list clear, small moments you remember there. Choose one to sketch and then write the accompanying story.  Notice an object, and let that object spark a memory. Write the story of that one time.

Qualities of Good Personal Narrative Writing  Write a little seed story; don’t write all about a giant watermelon topic.  Zoom in so you tell the most important parts of the story.  Include true, exact details from the movie you have in your mind.

Qualities of Good Personal Narrative Writing  Begin with a strong lead – maybe setting, action, dialogue, or a combination to create mood.  Make a strong ending – maybe use action, dialogue, images, whole-story reminders to make a lasting impression.  Relive the episode as you write it.

Looking at Published Personal Narratives What do you notice about the students’ writing?

Writing Conference Clip What is the structure/sequence of the conference? What does the teacher do well here? What did you notice about the writing workshop through this conference?

Ideas for Celebrating Published Writing Toast – Have a toast to celebrate writing Gallery Walk- Silent reading and responding to students’ writing pieces Open Mic- One student reads to the class & invited guests at a given time. Meet & Greet- Students share their writing to small groups of students. Inside/Outside Circles

Ideas for Celebrating Published Writing Invite parents and teachers. Read Aloud to Book Buddies Publish an anthology of short stories/poems from the class. Students dress up as a character in their story.

How can I learn more about the writing workshop model?  1) Attend the Reading and Writing Project summer conference at Columbia University, this summer!  Dates: Writing Institute- June 27 – July 1 st Reading Institute- July 5 th - July 9 th Cost: $675 per session

How can I learn more about the writing workshop model?  Visit and observe teachers using the writing workshop model.  Professional Resources  Internet Resources

Internet Resources The Teacher’s College Reading & Writing Project- Great Site on Writing Resources- html html A Blog with great resources from 2 experienced teachers using the writing workshop model- Lucy Calkin’s Website on The Writing Workshop Units of Study books- Beth Newingham’s Site with a variety of teacher resources