Writing
Workshop is a model of teaching writing in which students choose their own
topics and work at their own pace. Traditionally, there are no due dates
in that "authors" should not be limited by time constraints. However, in
Mrs. Williams's Writing Workshop, we do have due dates!
We usually begin
class with a short "mini lesson" where the teacher instructs the whole class on
an important writing topic, such as dialogue punctuation, how to format a
letter, or the use of voice as part of a writer's craft.
Following
the mini lesson, the students have about 25 minutes of writing time.
During this time, the teacher circulates throughout the room holding brief
conferences with individual students at their desks. These conferences are
the heart of a writing workshop. It is during this time that the teacher
offers specific feedback to a student based on his or her piece in
progress.
Finally, the last five minutes or so are reserved for
"the author's chair." Students have the opportunity to share what they
have written with the whole class.
Typically, students turn in three
papers per quarter. Generally, two weeks of time is allotted for each
paper. Students may bring their writing folders or binders home any time
they wish.
