Oh. My. Goodness.
Holy guacamole.
Shut the front door.
For THREE
years people have asked me to me to create a Writer’s Workshop
unit. I’ve sat down to do it dozens of times but I had this
problem. It’s called, how do you put something on paper that isn’t an
exact science? I struggled with this because I really do follow my kids.
Some years we move faster than others. That has to be okay. When we stop
following kids and pushing them beyond their abilities, no one wins. Writing is
developmental and some kids need more time than others. Here’s another
issue, I am VERY passionate about writing when I present at conferences.
I was so worried that I couldn’t adequately portray my passion
on paper. I wanted to give people the same experience. This took me
a long time.
years people have asked me to me to create a Writer’s Workshop
unit. I’ve sat down to do it dozens of times but I had this
problem. It’s called, how do you put something on paper that isn’t an
exact science? I struggled with this because I really do follow my kids.
Some years we move faster than others. That has to be okay. When we stop
following kids and pushing them beyond their abilities, no one wins. Writing is
developmental and some kids need more time than others. Here’s another
issue, I am VERY passionate about writing when I present at conferences.
I was so worried that I couldn’t adequately portray my passion
on paper. I wanted to give people the same experience. This took me
a long time.
Soooo…a
year later and it is finished. Done.
year later and it is finished. Done.
Cue in singing angels and pure JOY.
Now, let me be clear. I am no rocket scientist. The method to my madness honestly came from
reading several books and then taking time to find what works best for me…you
know, those ideas that fly out the rear sometimes? Those are the best ones.
Haha!
reading several books and then taking time to find what works best for me…you
know, those ideas that fly out the rear sometimes? Those are the best ones.
Haha!
I have taken a great deal of time
to find several AMAZING books that could be read during the writing
process. They make wonderful connections
for kids. My class loved them!
to find several AMAZING books that could be read during the writing
process. They make wonderful connections
for kids. My class loved them!
This unit is written as if I am giving YOU a personal one-on-one
training session. It is very detailed. It was created to teach you HOW to start,
implement and be successful with Writer’s Workshop in your classroom. It includes several book
examples, pictures of mini lesson resource charts and student examples. This is
a VERY detailed guide to help you work through each step accurately. It is
completely plausible to have your students writing three part stories by the
end of the school year. This could be used for high pre-k students or
struggling first grade students who have no foundations of writing.
training session. It is very detailed. It was created to teach you HOW to start,
implement and be successful with Writer’s Workshop in your classroom. It includes several book
examples, pictures of mini lesson resource charts and student examples. This is
a VERY detailed guide to help you work through each step accurately. It is
completely plausible to have your students writing three part stories by the
end of the school year. This could be used for high pre-k students or
struggling first grade students who have no foundations of writing.
Here is what is included along with a few preview pictures.
Table of
Contents:
Contents:
Pgs. 1-4: Preview of Unit
Pg. 5: What is Writer’s Workshop
Pg. 6: Steps in WWS
Pgs. 7-10: Time Management (Mini Lesson,
Independent Writing/Conferring, Author Celebrations)
Pgs. 11-22: Starting WWS with books
Pgs. 23-30: Interactive Writing
Pgs. 31-40: Shared Writing
Pgs: 41-42: Step One
Pgs. 43-52: Step Two
Pgs. 53-61: Step Three
Pgs. 62-70: Step Four
Pgs. 71-72: Other Charts & Resource Wall
Pgs. 73-80: Step Five
Pgs. 81-88: Step Six
Pgs. 89-93: Other Resource Charts
Pgs. 94-96: Creating a Writing Center
Pgs. 97-99: Word Wall
Pg. 100: Utilizing a Poetry Center
Pg. 101: End of Year Goals
Pgs. 102-130: Writing Printables
Pg. 131: Alphabet Chart for WWS folder
Pgs. 132-137: Story Elements Charts and
Printables
Pgs. 138-142: Writing Printables
Pgs. 143-145: What Can I Write About?
Pgs: 146-147: Credits
Pg. 5: What is Writer’s Workshop
Pg. 6: Steps in WWS
Pgs. 7-10: Time Management (Mini Lesson,
Independent Writing/Conferring, Author Celebrations)
Pgs. 11-22: Starting WWS with books
Pgs. 23-30: Interactive Writing
Pgs. 31-40: Shared Writing
Pgs: 41-42: Step One
Pgs. 43-52: Step Two
Pgs. 53-61: Step Three
Pgs. 62-70: Step Four
Pgs. 71-72: Other Charts & Resource Wall
Pgs. 73-80: Step Five
Pgs. 81-88: Step Six
Pgs. 89-93: Other Resource Charts
Pgs. 94-96: Creating a Writing Center
Pgs. 97-99: Word Wall
Pg. 100: Utilizing a Poetry Center
Pg. 101: End of Year Goals
Pgs. 102-130: Writing Printables
Pg. 131: Alphabet Chart for WWS folder
Pgs. 132-137: Story Elements Charts and
Printables
Pgs. 138-142: Writing Printables
Pgs. 143-145: What Can I Write About?
Pgs: 146-147: Credits
Thank you for being so patient with me as I created this set. I know it has been a longgggg time coming! I am so happy with the end result and I hope you will be too. For it’s debut, it is on sale for the rest of this week. Please email me if you have any questions at kreativekinder@yahoo.com. I would also love it if you left me feedback if you decided to purchase this unit.
My heart
really is to help teachers develop a passion for teaching writing. Each
year I am AMAZED at my students’ progress. Once they get
the foundational pieces, they take off and soar. Writing three
part stories (and then some) is an attainable goal in
kindergarten.
really is to help teachers develop a passion for teaching writing. Each
year I am AMAZED at my students’ progress. Once they get
the foundational pieces, they take off and soar. Writing three
part stories (and then some) is an attainable goal in
kindergarten.
My advice
when it comes to teaching writing:
when it comes to teaching writing:
- Writing is not handwriting.
That is a whole nother ball of wax. - Focus on ONE teaching point for
each child at a time. That teaching point will probably be different for
each child. When looking at a piece of writing, there may be five things
you could critique BUT if you do that, children will walk way
feeling defeated and not capable of being a confident writer. When I
conference with a child, I use the Positive – Teaching Point – Positive
method. - Celebrate every moment, even the
small ones. Build confidence! If a child can only get a beginning sound,
that should be celebrated. Other sounds are sure to follow. - Most importantly, fake it til you
make it. You can’t expect your students to be invested in your Writer’s
Workshop time if you are not. If you don’t love it, they won’t either.
Happy
WRITING!
WRITING!
You can see more of my unit HERE.
Love and virtual hugs!
Nice!!! vhair61215@gmail.com
Love all the tips! Can't wait to use this with my kinders!
~Kourtney
kourtneypayton83@gmail.com
Mrs. Payton's Precious Kindergarteners
I will definitely be purchasing this! I watched your presentation a few years ago on writing and was in awe at all you do. I loved the way that you introduce and build onto their writing. Thanks for sharing all that you do with us!! It means the world!
Crystal, this looks amazing! I really want to do a better job teaching my cuties to write. Your creation will be a perfect solution. Thank you so much for all you do. I've loved EVERYTHING I've purchased from you!!!!!
I'm crazy about the "My Teacher Planner" you create each year! Do you plan to do one for 2014-2015?
Blessings,
Tammy
Hi Crystal,
This looks awesome! I have a question for you before I purchase it. Is this a step by step daily curriculum that includes the mini lessons you would teach each day and which read aloud for each mini lesson? Is it a guided curriculum?
It's not a daily curriculum but taught in steps and the pace is based on your students. It is very easy to follow with read aloud suggestions and mini lesson examples. 🙂
Does this follow the Writer's Workshop curriculum developed by Lucy Calkins. We have her books but find them dry and hard to follow. If yours can help me I'm forever indebted to you.
I did read all of her book before coming up with my system. There are many similarities but just like you I found LC hard to follow in kinder so I tweaked it to be more functional. I think you will like it. 🙂