“Guided Writing” Viterbo EDUC 640 “Guided Writing” Viterbo EDUC 640 Sharon Garvey - Instructor Sharon Garvey - Instructor

Four Types of Writing Experiences  Shared Writing – Whole Class  Interactive Writing – Whole Class  Writer’s Workshop/Guided Writing – small groups or individual  Independent Writing Garvey - Viterbo

Guided Writing – the “Middle Piece”  Guided Writing is a flexible tool that saves valuable time by making our instruction crystal clear.  Bridge between shared writing and independent writing, a scaffold that supports students with helpful tools  Lessons may be conducted with whole class, small temporary groups, during guided reading, or during writing workshop

Is Guided Reading parallel to Guided Writing?  “Guided writing is not parallel to guided reading.” Regie Routman  Not enough time to meet with small groups for reading and writing  There isn’t one “right” way to do guided writing, but it is an excellent step for providing extra support.

What are Benefits of Guided Writing?  More modeling takes place, and there are more examples to “copy” and more ideas to incorporate into independent writing.  Graphic organizers and other scaffolding tools help students move into independent writing.  Students receive immediate teacher feedback.  Students have more conferences with the teacher and their peers.

How Often?  Guided writing is a flexible tool that you can use whenever students need extra support to be successful.  Use to:  Introduce a new genre such as nonfiction or report writing or poetry  Teach a new skill such as writing a paragraph or a beginning or an ending  Reinforce reading and learn craft from the authors of fiction or nonfiction

Settings and Options for Guided Writing Instruction  Use guided writing in table groups as needed during whole-class lessons or writing workshop  During whole-class lessons, assemble a temporary group that is struggling  Use guided writing during guided reading  Circulate among several guided writing groups

Guided Writing in Action Guided Writing is flexible.  Use guided writing immediately following modeled writing or shared writing to give student more practice before they write independently.  Let students write independently first, and discover what the students need to work on. The next day, try practicing those skills in guided writing cooperative groups.  Skip the guided practice with the entire class if most of the students don’t need it; pull together only the students who need the extra support.