Writing Workshop Model
2/2/2019
At PNA, we utilize the model of a writing workshop to implement writing instruction. Teachers in grades K-8 use the Lucy Calkins Units of Study curriculum to instruct, guide and assess students on their writing skills. This curriculum comes from her work with the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project and has proven to be successful for a variety of learners. According to the units of study website their aim is "to prepare students for any reading and writing task they will face and to turn kids into life-long, confident readers and writers who display agency and independence." Therefore, any classroom using the workshop approach instead will appear much different than one using other approaches. Students are working all over the room, in flexible seating, where they feel most comfortable and productive. Students are working individually, with partners or in small groups and these change throughout the workshop time according to the current needs of the students. Students are using different tools as they work through the various stages of the writing process. From first drafts, research, publishing and illustrating, students are empowered to independently utilize the tools and resources around them. The workshop model follows a simple and consistent structure beginning with a short whole group minilesson where students are explicitly being taught strategies they can use not only for that days work, but for the rest of the year.
The following workshop time allows teachers to travel between students for individual conferences where they can address each child's learning and current need. This is a time that also taps into the classroom as a learning community who helps and supports each other as students work together to solve challenges that may arise. Students are given a parameter of choice during this time as well (sitting, working individually or not, which component of their writing they will be working on that day...) and this leads to a high level of student engagement. Students are brought back together for a quick whole group reflection at the end of the workshop. This also sets the stage for the next writing workshop period as students plan for their next steps in their writing projects. This workshop structure helps to focus our learning environment as a responsive, safe, and productive place where students take risks, create, collaborate and communicate with each other in real world contexts on a daily basis. Comments are closed.
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Marcella HitchcockMs. Hitchcock teaches second grade, is a mom of two, an avid reader, lifelong learner, and a seeker of sunshine! Archives
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