Keeping Yourself Organized During Writer's Workshop

Writer's workshop is an effective way to build a classroom of authors. However, it can be a challenge to keep your writers, and yourself, organized. Although it may require more planning, I have found that implementing a successful writer’s workshop in the classroom is worth the effort. Below I list the crucial elements I deem necessary to have a year-long writer's workshop.

The Writer's Workshop model involves taking students through the writing process. This includes planning, revising, editing, and direct instruction (usually referred to as mini-lessons.) All of these teaching techniques allow young writers to develop expression, revision strategies, and skills in writing.

During writer’s workshop, a teacher wants to challenge students to expand their ideas, to focus on a topic when writing, and to grow as an author. Throughout the process, you will find that your pupils become more aware of mechanics, although individual writing skills will differ. Learners who are immersed in writer's workshop enjoy independent writing, the power of their words to express thoughts, and the chance to describe experiences to others. Below is a brief description of a typical workshop schedule.

The main components of the exercise include a daily mini-lesson, status of the class, revising and editing (which can include peer editing) and author's chair. Eventhough the routine may seem challenging, most teachers may be incorporating these components into their daily routine already.

Mini-Lesson

A mini-lesson is usually a ten-minute activity that focuses on an area that you feel your students need to work on. You can identify these areas by looking at writing assessments or essays. Examples of mini-lessons include talking about how to rewrite sentences using more descriptive language, focusing on the elimination of the passive voice, or giving feedback to a writer who is sitting in the author’s chair.  

Status of the Class

This exercise takes a few minutes and provides the teacher with information about where students are in the writing process. In my class, I find it helpful to have a writing folder for each learner. In their folders, they keep their drafts, planning outlines, revisions, etc . Each pupil can look in his folder and know where he is in the writing process or where he plans to be by the end of that day.

Writing and Conferencing

Writing and conferencing generally takes about a half an hour. Once the class is familiar with the framework of writer’s workshop, they can gently be introduced to the various ways to edit and revise their work. I always found that my students really enjoyed meeting with peers during this portion of writer’s workshop. In my class, this was called “Buddy Editing” and individuals were eased into the process over time. Each time they meet with their buddies, they are asked to focus on a specific task taught during the mini-lesson (making sure each sentence had a capital letter, using a dictionary to fix spelling errors, etc .) While some learners flourish by using this method of editing, I find that some also need an extra push to strengthen their writing skills. These kids progressed when they conferenced with a teacher. I usually make it a point to meet with at least three individuals during a writing period to find out where they are in the writing process and where they need the most help (future mini-lessons). Finally, once a writer has revised and edited his paper, he works on the publishing process. It is essential to include a few mini-lessons about this process so that your class knows your expectations once they reach this stage. Publishing their work is a fantastic motivator for all writers.

Author's Chair

An author's chair session usually takes about ten minutes and involves individuals sharing their published pieces. This is an important stage because the students' achievement need to be celebrated. It is always important to review or model how to give feedback to peers. Young writers love to hear positive comments about their finished work, considering how much time they put into it throughout the process. What follows are more lessons to help writer's workshop run smoothly in your classroom.

Related Lessons to Writer's Workshop:

Using a Writer's Workshop

Pupils are introduced to various mini-lessons throughout the writer's workshop process.

Launching a Writer's Workshop

Here, your class will examine where authors get their ideas.

Core Poetry Lessons Taught Through Writer's Workshop

This lesson is a fantastic resource for a poetry unit.