Getting Started in Writing Workshop
Writing Workshop provides a format for teachers to teach writing,
and in addition, for students to practice writing on a daily
basis and develop positive attitudes toward writing. Feeling
good about writing and one's ability to write well contribute
to learning to become a good writer. The Writing Workshop model
enables the teacher to provide a supportive environment in which
young writers feel safe enough to take risks in the course of
applying their learning about writing. An important part of
the program is establishing a community of learners who respect
their work and the efforts of others.
Writing Workshop sets aside a dedicated large block of time
(about 60 minutes) for teachers and students to practice writing
for the purpose of becoming better writers. The time is usually
broken into three 20-minute segments: a mini-lesson, actual
writing by everyone, and a share time.
The teacher's role is to:
- Establish a warm and nurturing environment for
learning to take place;
- Serve as a model for students;
- Develop mini-lessons that are curriculum based;
- Develop mini-lessons based on student needs;
- Address various student interests and abilities;
- Provide opportunities to explore various genres and
- Provide opportunities to write in all curriculum
- Bring in a variety of literature and great authors to
serve as models;
- Reward student achievement whenever possible;
- Celebrate success.
One of the most difficult tasks discussed above is the
notion of establishing a nurturing environment for children
to practice their writing. What do I mean by this and how is
it to be accomplished? To begin with, I would suggest a good
shared writing experiences.
- Model how a good writer thinks of
topics, sequences ideas, organizes the text, and practices
mechanics of writing while getting their ideas down.
- Demonstrate how to keep ideas flowing
without getting overwhelmed or bogged down with mechanics.
- Encourage children to participate in
formulating the text with you by asking for questions and
comments as you are working.
- Thank children for helping you come up
with such a great piece of writing that everyone can
- Encourage them to look at the shared
writing pieces on display around the room for ideas to
help them write.
"I Don't Know What to Write About"
Frequently children will tell you they don't know what to
write about. I would suggest that you provide some
mini-lessons to generate a list of topics and post the list
in the room for all to see. You could start by brainstorming
a list, and as children share their writing about other
topics, add the new topics to the list. This will also serve
as a reward for the student who thought of the topic. When a
child tells you she doesn't know what to write about, refer
her to the list or read through the list with her to see if
something strikes a chord. You could also suggest a topic
that you think the child might relate to just to get her
Follow your shared writing or mini-lesson with 20-30 minutes
of actual writing time. Use this time to confer with
children about their work and help them along with the
writing process. Set up a schedule so that you can confer
with 2 students at length in each period.
The final part of the writing workshop is sharing writing.
Time must be provided for sharing at the close of writing
workshop. This is the time children reap the rewards of
their hard work and allow you to use their samples to teach
and reinforce skills. Here are some suggestions to help make
- Seat the children in a circle so they can see each
- Teach the students to make at least three good
comments about the work being presented.
- Post a list of good comments:
"I like the topic.."
"I like the pictures.."
"It reminds me of.."
"I remember when.."
"(S)He wrote a lot.."
"I thought it was funny.."
- Model positive comments for students and thank them
for sharing and being polite.
- After you have three positive comments, ask for
comments that would help make the student a better writer.
Some examples might be:
"You have too many 'ands' in your sentences."
"You have too many 'and thens' in your sentences."
"The sentences were too long. You need to put in more
"I was confused in the part.."
- Lead the students in applauding for each and every
child who shared their writing.
- Prepare in advance a schedule of 2 to 3 students who
are to share the next day.
- Thank the children for their hard work and efforts.
Let them know you enjoyed their writing and that the other
students in the class enjoyed it as well.
I would like to encourage you to follow the format
outlined above. Daily practice in writing, with constructive
comments from peers in a supportive environment, can yield
surprising results and help children overcome their
reluctance to write. I hope you will find these suggestions
helpful. As always, we welcome your questions and comments