Top Ten Lists for Writing Workshop

Summer will soon be here! It’s a time to travel, read and write, take long walks, and plan.   It is the time to start to reflect on goals and what you will need to do next year – an action plan.  How will your writing workshop look next year?  What will you do differently?  What will look the same?  Here are two “Top Ten” lists for you and your students – some things to consider. Can you write your top ten list for your students and for yourself?  What would you include?
 
 
Fundamentals of Writing Workshop:
Suggestions and  Goals for Your Students
 

1.  Work independently and together with peers to solve a wide range of writing problems.
2.  Learn skills, strategies, and craft moves through a range of mentor texts and authors.
3. Communicate your skills through multiple means, exploring various forms, writing types (including poetry), and media.
4. Connect what you learn today with the work you have done in the past and what you know about yourself and the world.
5. Know what a successful performance looks like and sounds like – set goals you can accomplish if you work hard!
6. Read, read, and read!
7. Develop and use knowledge in everyday classroom discussions.
8. Question, question, question!
9.  Write in your writer’s notebook on a daily basis.
10.   Take risks and try something new as often as possible!

Fundamentals of Writing Workshop:
Suggestions and Goals for Teachers
 

1. Process your observations of students on multiple levels and various ways.
2. Monitor and evaluate your students’ performances and progress toward goals.
3. Provide choice, challenge, and make time for conferring and feedback daily.
4. Foster opportunities for cognitive collaboration.
5. Provide opportunities for students to write daily and reflect on their learning.
6. Write daily in your writer’s notebook and reflect on your learning.
7. Read, read, read – a variety of professional texts on writing workshop and a variety of children’s books to use as mentor texts and read alouds.
8. Use strategies and tools to help your students solve a wide range of writing problems.
9. Use the knowledge you gather from listening to conversations about reading and writing to inform your instruction.
10.   Question, question, question your practices in order to improve and grow!