Writer’s Workshop EUPISD August 15-17, 2011

Lindsay Brindley, EUPISD Consultant Tan-A Hoffman, JKL Bahweting Teacher Amanda McCabe, EUPISD Consultant Barb Rogers, JKL Bahweting Teacher

Objectives Gain a clear understanding of the components of writer’s workshop Identify ways in which we already facilitate some of the components in our classrooms “Amp up” the most successful pieces of our current classroom practice Move deeper into the process of facilitating writer’s workshop in our classrooms

Our Group Norms Demonstrate respect for one another and for our mutual learning. Listen fully with the intention to understand. Participate actively in learning and seeking possibilities. Set aside judgmentalness. Share “air time.” Use the parking lot.

Grounding Exercise The purposes of a grounding: To establish relationships To gather information To establish a model for listening with respect and for knowing that each person will be heard

Grounding Exercise One minute Name School/grade/subject area What are you hoping to take away from this session? (Maybe a good time to start taking notes in your journal!) Agenda review/homework reminder

MEAP Writing 40% proficient

So, where are we now?

MEAP Writing % proficient!

MME Writing 45% proficient

So, where are we now?

MME Writing % proficient!

We can fix this! “When teachers receive the education we deserve in the teaching of writing, and are therefore able to provide children with clear, sequenced, vibrant instruction in writing, we make a dramatic difference in children’s abilities to write.” “Lifting the level of writing instruction matters because writing matters.” And so…you’re here!

When we embrace reform in the teaching of writing… “…we become invigorated…renewed…” “…we tap new sources of energy within ourselves…” “…reminding us why we went into teaching in the first place.” Calkins, Lucy. A Guide to the Writing Workshop. Heinemann, New Hampshire: 2006.tc.columbia.edu

Create your foldable (you can do it!) Read your assigned section individually and take notes in the “notes” column (4 min.) Share the notes with your partner and add any new insights in the “partner” column (4 min.) Agree on a four-sentence(ish) summary of your sections and write it in the “summary” section (5 min.)

In the words of Ernest Becker, Pulitzer Prize-winning cultural anthropologist… “What human beings fear is not growing old, but growing old without things adding up.” And so…we write. Calkins, Lucy. A Guide to the Writing Workshop. Heinemann, New Hampshire: 2006.

Your turn… Think about yourself as a writer, now and/or in the past. What aspects of your personal “writing process” are working well? Why? Which aspects are not working so well? Why? Record your thoughts in your journal

Foundations Mini-lesson – Connection – Teaching – Active engagement – Link Writing and Conferring Share

Management Systems It’s not only novice teachers who struggle! Not more difficult when leading a workshop “Manuel is the teacher he is because although he is new to the profession, his methods are not new. This is how it should be!”

Management Systems Full of specific examples regarding instruction Directly applicable to the classroom immediately Objective: experience the level of detail to which Lucy expands your knowledge of each area, thereby gaining additional understanding of the structure of the component you’ve chosen

Management Systems Management throughout the mini-lesson Management at the start of work time Management during work time (extensive) Managing one-to-one conferences Managing the share time (Remember: you will be covering additional chapters specific to each of these areas. Also, there’s a PowerPoint available with expansion info…)

Management Systems Continuums Consider the list of possible topics within the chapter and your comfort level/expertise as you relate to each. Visit the continuums on the walls around the room and place your stickers appropriately. Return to your seat and spend around ten minutes reading your two most “uncomfortable” sections. Keep the objective in mind; you may want to take notes in your journal.