Writing Everyday

Our daily Writing Workshop is divided into three parts. Guided lessons begin the hour, and usually last about 10-15 minutes. Lessons may be related to the craft of writing, behaviors of writers, or conventions such as grammar and spelling. This time is also used for modeling a variety of genre.

Independent writing time follows, and usually lasts about 35-40 minutes. Students follow the components of a writing process: brainstorming, drafting, editing, revising, and sharing. Teacher conferences are held regularly to check student work and teach lessons one-on-one.

The last 5 minutes is often reserved for sharing, an opportunity for students to share their work with the rest of the class, and to receive congratulations and feedback.

Publishing is an important part of any writing workshop. In our class, we form a publishing company. Students may publish their best work in book form, and can share these books with family, friends, and other students in our school.

The Writer's Notebook

Your child has a writer's notebook, an important component of our writing program. The writer's notebook is not a diary, but a place to explore the craft of writing. He or she should be encouraged to use it regularly, and a variety of writing strategies will be taught in class.