Reader's and Writer's Workshops

Home

Chat

Blogs

Collection

Directory

Home : 2001 : July : 14

Reader's and Writer's Workshops
By JES

Joy,
I am not familiar with the program you mentioned -- "America's Choice." However I think 2.5 hours/day of reading and writing sounds heavenly! I do have a question for you though. Will that be 2.5 hours straight
or will the time be broken by other subjects/activities? I love to have an extended period of time for students to really "get into" their books. However, if the time is not broken up naturally, it is sometimes difficult for me to interrupt one activity that is going so well to begin something else.
In the beginning most of your mini-lessons will revolve around how everything will be

set up -- organization and management are the keys to keeping everything going in R.W. & W.W. You will need to model everything you expect your students to do. It probably would be best to introduce one workshop concept and get it going before starting the other. Personally, I would want to get R.W. off the ground first and gradually introduce the concepts related to W.W. while R.W. is progressing.

There are just so many ways to go as I try to describe what I do. I am not sure how much is laid out for you already through your new program. I really need to know if your program dictates the books that need to be read and the specific writing concepts that need to be covered, or will you be choosing texts and topics? My students have a lot of choices in reading and writing. Does that sort of format sound like anything that would fit with the "America's Choice" program? I could tell you how I set things up and keep things going if you let me know that is what you want.

A group of 4th and 5th grade teachers at my school formed a study group to read a book that you may find helpful. It's called "In the Middle." Sorry I don't remember the author, but she recommends using a mini-skill lesson format. She also gives timely advice about organization and management. It is written for middle school but we found it very useful in setting up our workshops.
Good luck!
Elaine