Writer’s Workshop Part 1
Writing
is such an important part of any literacy program whether it be pre-k, k, 1,
2,3, etc . During my years of teaching I
can’t tell you how many times I have been at a professional development meeting
with other districts where I’ve heard teachers make statements like “We don’t
start writing until January” and “How can they write if they can’t read?”
January??? REALLY???? Think of all the instructional
time and practice time that is not being used wisely. Students reading and writing go together like
bread and butter; one is not complete without the other. Writing allows students to “play” and
“practice” with letter sounds in the context of their own thoughts and ability;
differentiate learning at its best!
Writing
for Any Classroom
Journal Writing
Formal Writing-Informative, Explanatory, Narratives,
Biographies, etc.
Reading Response
Making Books
Today’s Topic-Journal Writing
When
To Start Journals
Students start writing in their journals the first
day of school and will write in their journals every day for the first nine
weeks.
The
Mini Lesson
Modeling daily
before students write in their journals is essential. Students learn their ABC because
someone sang with them and practiced writing the letters with them. The same is
true for writing a paragraph or story, it is important to model how to use
basic mechanics, organize thoughts, and put letters/sounds together within a
sentence before expecting students to do so.
Rules
for Journal Writing
Journal Writing is a time when students can
explore how writing works, practice how letters go together to make words, and
share their ideas. Here are the rules I give
students to help establish the expectation for putting those three components
together in their journal.
·
Everyone writes for the entire writer’s
block.
·
Writing First/Drawing Pictures
Last-otherwise some of the artistic ones will spend their entire writing period
drawing.
·
No copying-I always erase what I write
because some students will take the easy way out and copy what I have
written. I honestly don’t even use
sentence stems. I might use a sentence
stem during my modeling and say it out loud but I don’t leave it on the board
for students to copy. I find that
copying doesn’t help students because they are not having to think about
letter sound relations or the process of how words go together.
Erase the board or turn off the
projector.
·
Students are responsible for their own
spelling-Students should say the words slowly and write what they hear. (I do not let students use their dictionaries
until later in the year because some would spend the entire journal block
looking up every word.
This also helps
students……
*put letter/sounds
together
*encourages students
to be risk takers instead of always depending on the teacher/others
What
Does the Teacher Do During Journal Writing?
Gently Guide Students-This means something
different for each student.
Students
might need help:
*with letter formation
*holding their pencil correctly
* staying on task
*Stretching out words
*Getting thoughts organized
Topics
for Writing
When I get started with journals the first day
of school I always assign a topic for writing. Over the years I have found that
if I don’t some students either….
*Never come up with a topic
*Write about the same topic every day
And let’s face it
some of those kiddos already have enough to stress about; holding their pencil
correctly, getting the letters/sounds correct, and getting the letters on the
line, not to mention all the thoughts of what’s going on at home swirling
around in their head. Wow, first graders
have a lot to stress about!
What
Are the Topics?
The first few weeks of school I always give
the students topics about “THEMSELVES”
WHY??????.........Because first graders are EXPERTS on “THEMSELVES” and always have
something to share about “THEMSELVES.
Ex: What did you do this summer? Tell me about your
family?
Expectations
As we all know first
graders are all very different; therefore, the expectations for each student
should be different. Each day I set an
expectation as to the least amount of sentences students can write but then add
if those are finished before writing time is up more details/sentences should
be added. This ensures that students
have a requirement for completion but also differentiates and challenges those
that are ready to write more.
Journal
Sharing
Just as students
like to write about themselves they also enjoy “sharing” what they have
written. Once Writer’s Workshop is over
4 to 5 students will share their journal entry in the group area. The students each read on their scheduled
day. Warning……….
if you get mixed up because you were off on Monday for Columbus day but call
the Monday group up to share, the class INFORMER will let you know.
Here’s a Spring Break Journal Freebie that can be
used any way you like it but here are a few suggestions.
·
If your students haven’t gone on Spring
Break yet you could send this with them to document how they spend each
day. I am by now way suggesting this as
homework over break because I think that is absurd but I do know there are
those kiddos that are overachievers that would love to do this just for fun.
·
I also know some families will go on
spring break whether your school has spring break or not and this would be a
great way to document their trip.
·
You could also put this in your writing
center/station. Enjoy
If you have a freebie you would like to share you can link up with :
What tips or tricks do you have for journal time?
Have
a Great Week
Alison
Funk
