Writer's Workshop

Under the guidance of Jennifer Jacobson, lower school teachers have adopted Writer's Workshop as a format for teaching writing. Writer's Workshop provides a structure for writing instruction and the students appreciate the independent aspect of Writer's Workshop. Because students choose their own topic, they are more invested in their writing. They feel like REAL WRITERS!

There are several components to Writer's Workshop: Teachers generally begin by reading a children's book as part of a mini-lesson. The class would then think about the book, focusing on one of these traits: Ideas and Content, Word Choice, Organization, Conventions, Sentence Fluency, and Voice. The class might then write a short story together, look at other writing samples, or participate in an activity designed to allow for practice in identifying and applying the trait. Next comes the kids' favorite part of Writer's Workshop - QUIET TEN. During this time soft music is playing and all students write. This is uninterrupted writing time, and it is a magical time of day in the first grade classroom! After this writing time most students continue to write independently, but some children will also be conferring with teachers or participating in a small group lesson. At some point during the week we also have Author's Chair - an opportunity for students to share their writing. Kids might share at any point in their writing - not just when a piece is considered to be "done". This allows peers to give feedback and ask questions that might prompt the author to improve his/her story in some way.