writer's workshop

Home

Chat

Blogs

Collection

Directory

Home : 2004 : August : 12

writer's workshop
By Kellie

Hi, to answer your questions, I don't view w.w. so much as an area like a center, but as a time for woking on writing. As long as your students have a place to sit and write or can opt to use clip boards on the floor, you
can set up materials in many ways. I usually have one large table in my room that is kidney shaped and seats six students. It doubles as my desk/work space so I have all my supplies and files nearby. Then during reading or writing times, I can easily pull my small groups or individuals for conferences, testing, etc. I kept their writing folders in a tub which they had access to and

I could easily check to take notes and individualize my lessons for the next workshop. It is necessary for my class to have lots of print in the room for support (as we learn it) such as a word wall, special words, word family lists, etc. I also kept extra pencils, erasers, hole-punches, tape, yarn, a stapler, glue sticks, scissors, a scrap box, colored paper, stamps, stickers, and markers accessible for publishing or other work. After a few months into the year, I displayed the steps of the writing process which they got very good at following. I hope this helps.