Essential Components of Writing Workshop

What are the necessary parts of writing workshop?  How can I be sure that I have a workshop model in place?   Today, I take a look at three of the major components with some helpful suggestions written as checklists. Tomorrow, I will talk about the place of the writer’s notebook in writing workshop.
 
Writing Workshop: The Mini-lesson
 

• Often whole class, but sometimes for small focus groups
• Demonstrates a craft move or writing convention that the class will work on that day or week
• Creates a community of learners
• Motivates and engages students (interactive parts)
• Poses a challenge they will work on in their own writing
• Presents the lessons that you want everyone to hear
• Demonstrations often arise from teacher/student conferences and observations of students’ writing

 
Writing Workshop: Independent Writing Time
 

• Focus on lesson just presented
• Focus on individual goals as writer identified during conferences
• Note where the students are in their writing – status of the class
• Invitational groups here – invite students with like needs to gather for help
• Teacher circulates around the room to observe (Who is getting the concept?  Craft move?  Skill? )
• Look at the information collected to determine the next teaching point
• Also, use the information to determine your invitational groups

 
Writing Workshop: Reflection and Response
 

• Sharing time for gathering on a rug  and talk about strategies that worked
• Share a craft move put into practice or sticky places where they stumbled
• Write a self-evaluation for the portfolio
• Recognize progress and set new goals
• Connect today’s lesson with another lesson(s)
• Use this time to solidify the new learning that has occurred