Writing Workshop for the Very Young

1. Writing Workshop for the Very Young TBA PD Day – November 2, 2009 Kathy Laubon/Crossroads Writing Project TC klaubon@hotmail.com http://crossroadswp.org

2. Activities • Review Basics of Writer’s Workshop • Model Writer’s Workshop Session • Discussion with Panel • Questions & Comments • 3 Minute Video • Sample Mini-lessons (if time allows)

3. Quote to Think About “If children are provided with marking tools, a suitable surface on which to write, and a safe place to play, they begin to make marks at quite an early age.”       Judith Schickendanz, 2000

4. Stages of Writing • Drawing • Scribbles • Letter-like Forms • Letter Strings • Copying Environmental Print • Invented Spelling • Conventional Spelling

5. Writing Workshop-Major Players • Katie Wood Ray • Ralph Fletcher • Lucy Calkins • Nancy Atwell

6. Components for Writing Workshop • Mini-lesson • Writing • Sharing • Organization • Mentor Texts • Conferencing • Publishing

7. Mini-lessons • Procedures • Modeling • Use Children’s Work • 6+1 Traits

8. Writing • Allow Time • Think Before Writing • Talk Before Writing

9. Sharing • Author’s Chair • Whole Group • Partner/Small Group • Reading Basket

10. Organization • Materials • Folders

11. Mentor Texts • Use What You Have • Use Your Favorites

12. Conferencing • Check In • Redirect • Suggest • Conference • Observe

13. Publishing • Read to themselves • Read to a partner • Read to teacher • Staple • Date • Number

14. What Children May Do During Writer’s Workshop • Think • Talk • Draw • Write

15. What Children May Not Do During Writer’s Workshop • Raise Their Hands • Say “I’m done.”

16. Resources Calkins, L., A. Hartman, and Z. White. 2003. Units of Study For Primary Writing: A Yearlong Curriculum. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann. Febdgus,E., andI. Cardonick. 1999. Kid Writing: A Systematic Approach for Phonics, Journals and Writing Workshop. Bothell,WA:The Wright Group. Horn, M., and M.E. Giacobbe. 2007. Talking, Drawing, Writing: Lessons for Our Youngest Writers. Portland, ME: Steinhouse. Ray, K.W., and L.B. Cleveland.2004. About the Authors: Writing Workshop with Our Youngest Writers. Portsmouth,NH: Heinemann. Ray, K.W., and M. Glover. 2008.. Already Ready: Nurturing Writers in Preschool and Kindergarten. Portsmouth, NH:Heinemann.

17. Think About It Take a few minutes to jot down what you will take back from this workshop. What can you implement right away? Be prepared to share this info with your neighbor.

18. Evaluation • What is the most important thing you will take away from this session? • I wish there had been more… • Three things I plan to use in my classroom … • Additional Comments…