What is Writer's Workshop?

Charter Oak students participate in Writer’s Workshop.  Writer’s Workshop organizes the best practices in the teaching of writing to provide each child with writing instruction that meets his or her individual needs.  Writer’s Workshop has five main components:

1.     A teacher lesson to provide direct instruction in a writing skill

2.     Independent practice in a writer’s notebook  or writing folder at home and in school

3.     Guided writing practice in small groups

4.     Writing Conferences to provide one on one direction from the teacher with student writing

5.     Working through the writing process to publish written work

A very important tool in Writer's Workshop is each child’s writer’s notebook.  The notebook is a place for our young writers to gather ideas and begin storytelling.  Writers generate ideas in many ways; you can  gather ideas by:

·        Thinking back over recent events and looking for small moments

·        Talking about the days events and sharing stories

·        Reading - books often remind us of a story in our own life

·        Looking for objects that tell a story or create memories

Charter Oak students will learn to take these small ideas and elaborate to tell an interesting and meaningful story.  Students will write a first draft, revise their ideas, edit, and publish a written piece about once every six weeks.  Each class will then celebrate the students writing by providing opportunities for the writers to share their published pieces.  Look for your invitation to these wonderful writing celebrations throughout the year!