Process Writing Prepared and presented by Mary Jane

Process Writing Prepared and presented by Mary Jane Kurabinski NJ Department of Education

What is Process Writing? n n n a continual movement among the different steps of the writing model a fluid process created by writers as they write a way to become a writer through writing

5 Stages of the Model n n n Prewriting Drafting Revising Editing Publishing

Prewriting n Planning n Gathering information n n Graphic organizers Brainstorming

Drafting n Rough draft/”sloppy copy” n Purpose, Audience, Genre n Composition

n “Don’t write about man, write about a man. ” - E. B. White

Revising n Improving the first draft n n n Rereading Sharing with a partner or small group Conferencing with the teacher

n “Don’t say the old lady screamed. Bring her on and let her scream. ” - Mark Twain

Revising n Focusing on the revisions n n n Word selection Sentences Organization of the total piece of writing

Editing n n Correcting mechanical errors Being accountable against a “list of unacceptable errors”

Publishing n n n n n Informal vs. Formal Newsletter Bulletin Board Contests Recording of writing Illustrating/performing the writing Class book/anthology Reading to principal Literacy/Family night to showcase work

Writing Workshop n n n Block of time – every day for students to write using the process Mini-lessons Conferencing and individualized instruction based on student’s n n background interests perceptions ideas, etc.

Mini-lessons n Categories of lessons (Atwell, p. 153) n n Procedural (rules, routines) Craft (what author’s consider when they write) Conventions (what we need to do to be understood) Strategies of good writers

Mini-lessons n n n Figurative language Main character development Sequels Voice/point of view Author studies Types of writing n n n Writer’s craft Mechanics Teacher-modeled writing (Be transparent!)

Conferencing n n Meet with child regularly Discuss n n n Selection of topic Improvement of work Importance of work to the student/task Related work Value to the child’s portfolio Next steps

What does the classroom look like? n During the mini-lesson n During the writing block n The rest of the day

n Questions/Discussion