WRITERS WORKSHOP Germaine Tarver WRITERS WORKSHOP DEFINED Writers

WRITER’S WORKSHOP “ Germaine Tarver

WRITER’S WORKSHOP DEFINED Writer’s Workshop is a structure and a reflective process. Authors write about topics that matter to them as they move through the steps of the writing process. The goal is to create a safe and comfortable environment where a community of writers can attempt and share author’s crafts, techniques, strategies and skills. The authors compliment and critique each other’s writings, and publish and celebrate their work. Authors collect strategies that help them make deliberate choices in their writing.

WRITER’S WORKSHOP The Mini-Lesson It is a short, teacher led discussion of: Procedures and Organizations (routines) Strategies and Processes Skills OR Crafts and Techniques

WRITER’S WORKSHOP The Mini-Lesson There are 3 Guiding Principles of the Mini-Lesson…

WRITER’S WORKSHOP The Mini-Lesson Principle #1: BREVITY

WRITER’S WORKSHOP The Mini-Lesson Principle #2: FOCUS

WRITER’S WORKSHOP The Mini-Lesson Principle #3: AUTHENTICITY

WRITER’S WORKSHOP The Mini-Lesson When planning an effective Mini. Lesson Ask Yourself: What single problem am I trying to help my writers solve?

WRITER’S WORKSHOP The Mini-Lesson Should Include 4 Parts: #1: Connection • Students access prior knowledge and hear the teaching point • Teacher may say, “Yesterday we…”

WRITER’S WORKSHOP The Mini-Lesson Should Include 4 Parts: #2: Teaching • You teach the focus of your lesson • Teacher may say, “I want to show you…”

WRITER’S WORKSHOP The Mini-Lesson #3: Active Involvement • The teacher gives student authors a quick opportunity to try out the new skill or strategy. Students practice the strategy and often turn and talk with their partner. • Teacher may say, “I invite you to try it in your writing. Turn and talk to your partner about how you can…”

WRITER’S WORKSHOP The Mini-Lesson Should Include 4 Parts: #4: Link • To bring closure to the mini-lesson, you link to what the class has previously learned. • Teacher may say, “So today and everyday…”