Recently I began using Writers Workshop in the class to co-exist within the Daily 5 programme that I run. One of the first things I do whenever embarking on a new strategy for teaching is to create a resource that showcases the structure of the programme. Writers Workshop was no different.
Writers Workshop Flowchart Posters
For each of these posters, I cut them out and laminated them. Then I staple/pin them to the wall.
Each child in the class gets a peg with their name on it, and depending on where they are up to in the writing process, they put their peg. This helps them to be aware of what they are working on, and also assists me as the teacher to work in with where the students are up to.
What is Writer’s Workshop?
There are a variety of webpages out there that will tell you all about Writers Workshop. Busy Teachers Cafe has a good outline. The main focus of the workshop approach though, is to get students writing. Allowing them to choose what they write about provides instant motivation. The only issue occurs when student’s don’t know what to write about; but there are a variety of ways to get around this in the teacher’s arsenal. Allowing students to monitor their own writing is another part. And limiting teaching to mini lessons is also a way to get students writing for longer periods of time. Practise makes perfect after all.