Writing workshop encourages young writers to practice work that is similar to the work of professional authors. Students choose their own topics and stories to write and move through the writing process to “publish” multiple times throughout the year. Students study high quality published children’s literature and receive explicit instruction in writing strategies, as well as phonics and spelling, to navigate through the writing process. Working at their own pace, writers create different genres (narrative, informational, opinion) throughout the year. Students have time to write every day.
In writing workshop, students learn to communicate clearly and express themselves creatively for a variety of purposes using the technological platforms, tools, styles, formats, and digital media appropriate to their goals.
Fourth Grade Writing Workshop
Fourth grade writers learn to construct arguments where a claim is supported by reasons, use a variety of text structures and different kinds of details in informational texts, and write meaningful stories with detail and focus.
- The Arc of the Story: Fourth graders compose fictional small moment stories, including meaningful and relevant details.
- Boxes and Bullets: Fourth graders make a claim about a topic and support their claim with reasons.
- Bringing History to Life: Fourth graders teach readers about a subject, using facts, details, quotes, and ideas.
- Literary Essay: Fourth grade opinion writers make a claim about a text and support their claim with reasons.
- Songs and Poetry: Students generate original songs and poetry.
Helping Outside of School