Hi ya'll! It's Jeannie from Kindergarten Lifestyle and I am lovin' being back at Kreative in Kinder! Today I'm going to give you a peek inside my Writer's Workshop!
The one thing I've learned about Writer's Workshop is that when people talk about it – they often mean entirely different things. Writer's Workshop can look completely different in classrooms depending greatly on the teacher's philosophy on teaching writing…. I know this because I myself have moved from one side of the continuum to the other throughout my teaching career.
Now coming from a teacher that was very prescriptive, it wasn't always an easy transition. However, I am happy to say that I am NOT the writing teacher I used to be. I'm not saying there's never a time for using prompt writing response activities. I think there is definitely a time and place for that sort of practice and reflective thinking. However, I do believe if we teach children to write the stories that are in their hearts and souls on a daily basis – they will be able to attack any response writing activity that comes their way. I have watched my students' writing grow by leaps and bounds. In fact, my kindergarteners write as well as the 2nd graders I used to teach (that is a bit embarrassing to admit). The style of writing instruction that Lucky Calkins' advocates really works! So, I wanted to give you a peek inside my classroom during Writer's Workshop.
At the beginning of the year, I use LOTS of time pumping the kids up for this special time. I really make a big deal about being writers and how all of us are writers with stories to tell. I take reluctant writers and “prove” to them that they have amazing stories to tell/write. And, once they are empowered with that belief – amazing writers is exactly what they become!
I use music to signal nearly every part of our school day. And, Writer's Workshop is no exception. I use beautiful, calm music that the kids fall in love with. Many teachers use classical music. I do NOT because I find it tends to help little ones fall asleep to easy :0) So, I use soft music that is also catchy…These songs become the mantra of our Writer's Workshop time for the entire year.
In addition to music, I also turn half the lights out and use lamps instead – it really helps to set the tone for a quiet, peaceful writing time. And, it's a time the kids REALLY enjoy – they do not like missing Writer's Workshop time. :0)
Kids choose their perfect writing spot…. We are usually laid out all over the room. They take their writing folders (or composition books during the last month of school) along with their crayons and pen to a place in the room where they sit or lay down to write.
Yes……you heard me correct! My kids write with pens – not pencils. The reason is two-fold.
1. I don't have to sharpen pencils :0)
2. The focus is on getting our ideas/stories on paper – not perfection. There is no erasing…or throwing paper away… we do our best work! If we mess up we draw a line through it and keep right on going!
I hope you enjoyed this peek inside our Writer's Workshop. Please leave a comment below and tell me about yours or any questions or concerns you have about Writer's Workshop!
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We Teach Like A Rockstar says
Love~Love~Love reading your post. Thanks for sharing!!! Amber ~ Kindergarten Rocks Blog
Jennifer Tilton says
I like your lamp idea. I let mine move around and they choose their topic. Whew…I think I might be doing it correctly! Great Post!
Jennifer
kindertrips
Mrs. Shelton says
I love this Jeannie! I have been dying to change my writing program. I am in desperate need of something new! I love your "pen" idea. Not sure I can do that…I'm pretty OCD, but I'm sure the kiddos would LOVE it! 🙂 Thanks so much!
Sarah
Kindergarten Korner
Tammy says
Yes! Writing Workshop is about purpose + choice = motivation. Their lives are worth writing about. There's purpose. There's choice. There's motivation! Thanks for the post.
❀ Tammy
Forever in First
Ms. Kerri says
I love this post. I'm trying to revamp my writing instruction next year. There are so many ideas going through my head though. What music do you use? I love the idea of using pens. I hate when kids spend all their time erasing instead of writing.
Ms. Kerri and her Krazy Kindergarten
Lisa R. says
This is wonderful!! I've been thinking about getting Lucy Calkins's writing book for a long time & I think you just convinced me to do it. I like the idea of writing in pens & I definitely want to play music more during this time. Thanks for the fabulous post. 🙂
Lisa
Learning Is Something to Treasure
Olivia Cason says
Hi! I've passed on The Lovely Blog Award to you. Please visit my blog to pick it up: Liv to Teach
Cecilia says
Thanks for sharing. I have just started going through the Calkin's books and I am glad to see that you found them so helpful.
applesandabcs says
Thank you for sharing! I love the pen and lamp idea!
Michelle
Apples and ABC's
Julie Reid says
Thanks for sharing your ideas. I was trained in Lucy Calkins for 2nd grade and I have been struggling to adapt it for my kindergarteners. I know I'll change some things this fall!
Marsha M. Moffit McGuire says
Oh, you know I love this Jeannie! I want a list of the music you use though. I'm afraid I would have kids singing and dancing instead of writing. I also wonder, how will you do writers workshop with D5? I'm curious if you'll have time to do it everyday or just a few times a week? These are questions I have for myself too.
Marsha
A Differentiated Kindergarten
Michelle Atkins says
Great post! I love the idea of using pens. I am curious about what music you use too. I never thought about classical music making them sleepy but it makes sense. I play classical music when I put my 3 year old daughter to bed. I would love some suggestions for calm but motivating music for writer's workshop! Thanks for sharing.
Beadboard says
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this. Pens! Our pencils NEVER stayed sharpened. I love the idea to turn out lights & use lamps. I love the idea of music. Could you post on that,please? I think we are ALL intrigued!! Thank you so much!!!!
Beadboard says
Oooops! Forgot to say think you for this FABULOUS freebie. Just what I've been looking for. Blessings & hugs to you!
Deb Thomas says
Fabulous Post to read! I am going to use pens this year and see what happens and I can't wait to see what they do with their writing journals being personalized! We turn our lights down too during writing and it helps tremendously. This is also our time to chew gum and we get to keep the gum as long as we are writing.
Deb at Fabulously First
My TpT Store
Caitlin says
I don't know if I could let me kids use pens!! I am too much of a perfectionist (even thought I shouldn't be!!) I LOVE playing music during writing time. I tell me kids it is their 'thinking music' I always play a classical C.D. …..the Baby Einstein classical C.D's are great!!
Caitlin
Kindergarten Smiles
Jeannie says
Marsha – Although I'd like to incorporate parts of D5 in my classroom – I am NOT willing to stop Writer's Workshop – that time to too valuable…. When kids spend upwards of 30 uninterrupted minutes writing (after my modeling) that is too important to me…
let me see if I can think of my playlist from memory….
Return to Pooh Corner
Unwritten – Natasha Bettingfield
Will You Be There – Michael Jackson
These Hands
Stand By Me
Circle of Life
My Wish – Rascals Flats
Again, I don't care for classical music even though that is what you hear you should use. My kids fall asleep to it, but I find these songs give the a focus point (they become ingrained in them and help them settle into our workshop). They ADORE the songs and can tell you in a heartbeat that those songs are only for Writer's Workshop time :0) They are all calm songs and the kids enjoy working to them…..they are definitely different than the songs I play during centers (which are upbeat nursery rhymes and abc songs)…
As far as pens….I thought the same thing 4 years ago — I saw the supply list for my new school and went, "What?" They must be crazy! NOPE – it was amazing and has been for 4 years. I never worry about breaking pencils leads or they chewing on erasers….but of course each teacher has their own style. For me, it's wonderful!
Jeannie says
Another thing about pens…..I believe (but don't hold me to this)…..I believe my teammates got that from one of the Lucy Calkins' books and that is why they tried it….and loved it. If they use them from the beginning then they think it's perfectly normal..
In fact, pencils are a hit in my room. They are only in the writing center….and they love using them there…. :0)
Sheri says
Thanks for the great ideas and the wonderful freebie!! We send our journals home at the end of the year for the parents but I love the monthly dividers. Awesome!
My problem is finding time because our K is four days a week from 9-1. We have a hard time getting writing in twice a week and they are usually a prompt. Any suggestions?
Delaney White says
Thanks for sharing…this is awesome!
Jeannie says
Wow Sheri that sure isn't alot of time!! We spend about 45 minutes a day on writing….writing (along with centers) is the one time the kids refuse to let me skip. We are 5 days a week from 7:40-2:40 so a much different schedule.
If my schedule looked like yours I'd think I'd have to do ALOT more small group instruction and have writing as a choice…
The thing about writing is it can take the place of so activities because there is so much thinking, reading, and phonics work included in writing that I consider that time critical. :0)
Lori says
Lucy Calkins is great and isn't it wonderful to look back on your own progression as a teacher of writing! Thanks for the great post!
Lori
Conversations in Literacy
Crayons and Curls says
Love this Jeannie! Writing is my weakest subject – so these tips will definitely help me strengthen what I do! 🙂 I love your Portfolio! Where do you purchase your 1/2" binders? Do you get a deal during School Supply time? Thanks for listing the music – I love using music throughout the day and this is one more way I can add it in! Thank you again! 🙂
Cheryl
Crayons and Curls
Susan says
Oh, I loved this! I really want to be able to teach writing to my K students, but I feel like I don't do a great job. This was so inspiring! I love that you turn lamps on and put on music. I am doing this next year.
Susan
Kindergarten is the Best
Grade School Giggles says
It's so true how we grow and change how we teach over time. I love your post and really like the idea of switching to the journals the last month.
✿April✿
✿Grade School Giggles✿
Cynthia says
WHEW!!!!! It took me almost 2 days to read all of these fantastic guest blogs, but it has been so worth it. Yours is the last and I'm also your newest follower. I look forward to coming back and reading more!
Cynthia
2nd Grade Pad
Freckleteacher says
Clearly this is a subject that many Of us want to improve.
Thank you for reminding me that kindergartners learn so much from just having time to write. They naturally love it (well most of them any way) this past year I got quite caught up in all of the amazing centers/worksheets people post on blogs and sell on TpT. This left less time for writing. I only have 1/2 day kindergarten. That means I have to make better decisions about what I have my students do. I too love quiet music, but never turn the lights down. It never seems bright enough in my classroom as it is. I really like the lamps though!
Thank you again for this thought provoking post. I have always felt that students improve so many things when they write. I must give them daily time to do it. Maybe first thing each day or right after recess? Do you find certain times are best?