Writer's Workshop for Elementary Kids
Teach Prewriting, Writing, Revising, Editing, and Publishing Skills
Jul 27, 2008
The Writer’s Workshop is a comprehensive approach to teaching primary students writing skills. The teacher utilizes a combination of whole group, small group, and individual instruction along with teacher and peer conferencing to develop all areas of writing. Students become successful writers because the teacher is able to differentiate instruction to meet their individual needs.
In a Writer’s Workshop, a topic may be assigned by the teacher or chosen by the student. Students work at their own pace, following the steps of the writing process, to create an authentic piece of writing. This process allows them to internalize effective writing strategies.
The Writer's Workshop classroom is designed to facilitate a workshop setting. Word walls, primary dictionaries, thesauruses, revising and editing rubrics, and publishing supplies are readily available to assist in students in their writing. The teacher is actively circulating around the room answering questions, providing mini-lessons, and conferencing with students. The students may be seated at tables or desks writing, on the floor conferencing with a peer, using the computer for research or to type their final copies, or at the art center illustrating their stories.
Prewriting during a Writer’s Workshop
Students are taught to brainstorm ideas for writing by listing everything they can think of on a piece of paper and then going through the list to narrow down their choices. Once they have chosen a topic they outline their idea using a graphic organizer, such as a mind map, that the teacher has taught in a whole group lesson. The students may also research the topic on the computer or interview sources to compile any additional information they need.
Writing during a Writer’s Workshop
The students gather their outline and research notes and find a comfortable place in the classroom to write a sloppy copy. They follow the outline they have written to create a paragraph, story, poem or report with a logical flow. They supplement their original ideas with their research and cite sources when necessary. They do their best to follow the rules and mechanics of writing, but don’t stop to look up spellings or check grammar.
Revising and Editing during a Writer’s Workshop
Students use rubrics to revise and edit their own writing. They make changes to their work and then share it with a peer or the teacher. The teacher instructs all students in peer conferencing and has them practice it as a group before they do it on their own. During a conference students point out positive parts of the writing as well as parts they may be confusing, aren’t properly spelled or punctuated, or that don’t conform to standard grammar rules. A feedback form is filled out for the writer to use to make further changes
Publish Primary Student Writing Using a Writer’s Workshop
After improvements have been made the students write or type their final copy. They use the classroom art supplies to prepare their work to be shared. The teacher assists them in publishing their work. The writing is displayed on a bulletin board, placed in the classroom library, or taken home to be read to parents. Depending on the project, teachers can also arrange for students to do a poetry reading or book talk for the class.
During a Writer’s Workshop students follow the steps of the writing process to create an original piece of writing. The teacher uses differentiated instruction to teach writing, grammar, vocabulary, and spelling mini-lessons as they are needed. A Writer’s Workshop is an effective way to increase student writing skills by engaging them in all aspects of the writing process.
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