Writer's Workshop
Writer's Workshop will begin in Grade 2 in October. “Writer’s Workshop” is the name given to our writing time two or three days a week. We call it “Writer’s Workshop” because that is what “real” authors call their special writing time. Our lessons are taken, primarily, from the Units of Study for Primary Writers authored by Lucy Calkins. The lessons directly correlate with the Ontario Writing Curriculum. Each day the workshop lasts about 50 minutes. The first 10 – 15 minutes we start with a mini-lesson, or direct teacher instruction. The focus is on learning about techniques and strategies that good writers use. After the mini-lesson students are given independent writing time where the students are allowed to choose the topic for their writing. By giving the students choices in their writing, it makes the writing more meaningful and engaging. While the students are writing, I like to take that time to meet with individuals or small groups to conference with them about their writing and to encourage their growth as writers. Sometimes in the middle of the independent writing time we sometimes pause for a “mid-workshop share”. This is a time that I might use to refocus the group, or to highlight the extraordinary efforts of an individual in the class. At the end of the workshop about 10 minutes is spent in a “Writer’s Circle”, where the students are given the opportunity to share their writing with the class or a writing partner. They love this part!
Over the course of this program, students will learn to write, revise, edit, and publish stories throughout the school year. They will also begin to assess their writing and learn to implement the characteristics of quality writing into their own work. Most of our writing will be kept at school and will be sent home at the end of each unit. Whenever you are visiting the classroom you are more than welcome to take a look at our progress as writers.
Over the course of this program, students will learn to write, revise, edit, and publish stories throughout the school year. They will also begin to assess their writing and learn to implement the characteristics of quality writing into their own work. Most of our writing will be kept at school and will be sent home at the end of each unit. Whenever you are visiting the classroom you are more than welcome to take a look at our progress as writers.