Using a Toolkit in Writer's Workshop

One of my favorite PD experiences this summer was a three-day workshop on using and building a toolkit for Writer's Workshop.  I think (or maybe it's just me) that most teachers find that the most challenging thing about Writer's Workshop (besides keeping your mini-lesson to 10 mins - ha!) is not having the right resource to help a student in the moment.  For example, you notice that after totally SLAYING your mini-lesson on the "Heart of the Story" that this one student is trying to develop their story, but they aren't using any punctuation and they keep saying "and then... and then..." (My inner middle school English teacher cringes...)  What next?

UGH... totally frustrating - Dude, WHAT IS THIS?????   But wait, you have a teacher toolkit and you know a perfect conferencing teaching point to intervene and help this writer!  Here it is...

The Demonstration Notebook - Total Game Changer

In the workshop that I attended they showed us a few videos from DIY Literacy about creating this kind of notebook.  Kate and Maggie (the hosts) are so smart.  If you are using Writer's Workshop, you must check this out.  This is GOLD.  Their video series is phenomenal and completely applicable.

The essential take away was that YOU - yes, not "Teachers Pay Teachers," can create your own notebook as part of your toolkit and make it as the year goes along - you can add to it and it does NOT need to be created before each Writing Workshop session.

Here is the process:

1. Get a blank sketchbook and decide how to divide it up - by unit, skill, etc.
2. Get AWESOME pens to write with.
3. Take notice of what students need.
4. Use a teaching point that you have already developed OR create one on the spot for a student.
5. Write out (DEMONSTRATION) what you NOTICE - the "error"
6. Show STRATEGIES to improve the writing
7. PRACTICE with the student improving the writing
8. Have the student try it on their own
9. Marvel at amazing writing in your classroom : )

Here are some of the pages I have created (in all my spare time) for our first narrative writing unit - based on some likely student needs...

Demonstration #1 - Writers can use sketches to brainstorm new ideas about a topic they have already started. 

Demonstration #2 - Writers tell stories that are clear in their memory.

 

Demonstration #3 - When writers feel "stuck" or "done," they sometimes review other stories to get going again.

I can't wait to keep filling this up!  I am thinking I might add in student examples throughout the year (too ambitious?)... I'll fill you in as this progresses!


Kellie