The Writing Workshop, similar to the Reading Workshop, is a method of teaching writing using a workshop method. Students are given opportunities to write in a variety of genres and helps foster a love of writing. The Writing Workshop allows teachers to meet the needs of their students by differentiating their instruction and gearing instruction based on information gathered throughout the workshop.
This page gives a basic overview of the Writing Workshop.
"The Writing Workshop, similar to the Reading Workshop, is a method of teaching writing using a workshop method. Students are given opportunities to write in a variety of genres and helps foster a love of writing. The Writing Workshop allows teachers to meet the needs of their students by differentiating their instruction and gearing instruction based on information gathered throughout the workshop."
"Write in the Middle: A Workshop for Middle School Teachers
A video workshop for middle school teachers; 8 one-hour video programs, workshop guide, and Web site
"Inside Writing Communities, Grades 3-5
A video workshop for grades 3-5 teachers; 8 half-hour workshop video programs, 8 half-hour classroom video programs, workshop guide, and Web site
"What do successful teachers do to help their students become confident and proficient writers?
Write in the Middle: A Workshop for Middle School Teachers addresses that question in an eight-part professional development workshop."
Ideas for Writing
You've probably heard the saying "write what you know" but writing is also a great way to learn about something new. Here's some suggestions for exploring writing ideas and a list of topics that you might not have thought about before.
"Units of Study for Teaching Writing, Grades 3-5 offers crystal-clear advice on how to lead strong, efficient writing workshops in upper-elementary classrooms. "
You will be writing about yourself, about something that happened to you. It doesn't have to be about something big. Often the most interesting stories are about little things-fishing one afternoon with your cousin, getting ready for your first dance, meeting your new stepfather for the first time, meeting your best friend, making a little mistake but learning a big lesson. Everyone has little moments that stick out in his or her mind. You will be writing about one of those moments and learning how to make your writing interesting.
These sites have tips and examples for writing strong leads for paragraphs and structuring personal narrative writing. Students can learn how to capture and hold their readers' attention. There are classroom activities, online quizzes and exercises, and ideas to help writers develop their skills. Includes links to eThemes on grammar and interactive writing activities.
You already spend a lot of time trying to persuade your parents or teachers to allow you to watch more TV or do less homework. Now you can use those same skills to write a persuasive essay!
In this unit, students will explore the genre of memoir. They will see that writers write about the ordinary happenings of their lives and that their own lives are packed with meaningful experiences and memories that can form the basis of their own writing. Students will be encouraged to reflect upon the significance of remembered events and to keep a notebook of their thoughts and feelings.