Writer’s Workshop K-2

Family Literacy NightCristin Pozniak & Beth Votroubek

Rosa Lee Carter ElementaryApril 3, 2014

Writer’s Workshop is a framework for daily writing instruction and practice in the classroom.

What is Writer’s Workshop?

Mini lesson 5-10 minutes

Independent writing 15-20 minutes

Conferencing (during independent writing)

Sharing 5-10 minutes

Components of Writer’s Workshop

Mini lessons are short lessons about a

specific writing element, procedure or skill.

Books to introduce/model skills

Teacher modeling/writing

Authors as mentors

What are Mini Lessons?

Children choose topics they

write about Children are working at their

level. Teacher acts as facilitator –

circulating around the room helping when needed.

Independent Writing time

During independent writing time

students are able to:

Add to the words

Add to the pictures

Start a new piece

“When you’re done you’ve just begun.”

Student Guided Writing

Writer’s Workshop Students are working on

self chosen topics.

Students are able to work on more than one piece of writing at a time.

Students are able to choose a favorite piece to share.

Prompt Writing Students are writing about

a topic someone else has chosen.

Students cannot move onto another piece of writing until piece is completed.

Student work is largely for teacher’s eyes only.

Student meets with teacher to discuss

skills/elements/techniques specific to child.

Student receives feedback about his/her specific piece of writing.

Students meet with their writing partners to get feedback and encouragement.

Writing Conferences

Click icon to add picture

“Teach the writer and not the writing. Our decisions must be guided by what might help this

writer rather than what might help this writing.” ~ Lucy Calkins

Students are given the

opportunity to share their writing.

Allows writers to learn from each other and see models of good writing.

Helps with oral language development.

Sharing Time

Heart Map/Topic List Story maps and planners Quick Words Book “Go” Writing “Stopped” Writing Editing and Revising Checklists

Writer’s Workshop Folders

Narrative writing: Small Moments Nonfiction writing: How-To books, All About

books, Question & Answer books Opinion writing: Persuasive Letters, Book

Reviews, In My Opinion… Fiction writing: Fairytales, Imaginative

Stories, Realistic Fiction Additional Units- Pattern Books, Poetry,

Author Studies

What will you see?

Create a writing space Have writing supplies on hand:

Writing paper: premade books, plain paper, journals, note pads, and notebooks

Writing tools: pencils, crayons, erasers, stapler, and colored pencils

Involve your child with your writing tasks: Lists: grocery, to-do, etc. Letters, emails, cards

How can you help your child at home?