THE FIRST 5 STEPS IN ESTABLISHING A SUCCESSFULL WRITER’S WORKSHOP WITH SECONDARY STUDENTS
by Cindy Blevins on 08/18/16
So often we do not see a lot of tangible writing growth among secondary students. I knew Writing Workshop was the solution to this problem, but it took me several years to master the art of using Writing Workshop with large numbers of secondary students. Below are a few things I did at the beginning of every year that set the stage for our Writer’s Workshop and student writing success.
1. Get a baseline writing sample. Do this the first few days before you do any writing instruction. Tell students to do their best so you can see where they are coming from as a writer and so you will know how to best help them.
Use this writing sample to compare all other writing to throughout the year. It is a great way to determine writing growth for administrators, students, and parents. See sample writing prompts: MS: http://tinyurl.com/z18a14
HS: http://tinyurl.com/zx7to13
2. Start a “Strengths/Goals” sheet (T-chart) for each student. Take every baseline writing sample and list everything each student did well on the “Strengths” column. This is more difficult for some students than others. List everything no matter how small or insignificant: “puts heading on paper,” “begins first sentence with a capital letter,” “ends essay with a period,” etc. Then select 1-2 skills to add to the “Goals” column. These must be skills that can be quickly and easily accomplished (capitalize the personal pronoun “I,” vary the beginning word of every sentence, etc.). Refrain from listing vague goals or goals students may not be able to accomplish quickly such as, “write in complete sentences.” Every day when students write, they must have this sheet on their desk as a reminder of what they are trying to accomplish and how you can help them. As students accomplish a goal, mark it off the “Goals” column and move it to the “Strengths Column.” Then add a new goal. Each chart is individualized for each student with small achievable goals, and it is extremely motivating as students begin to see their list of writing strengths grow. See sample chart: http://tinyurl.com/jx76h8z
3. Begin an “Ideas for Writing” sheet or journal. At the beginning of every year, I focus a lot of time on developing students’ ideas for writing. When this is the focus of student writing journals, the journals become something really special and personal. This results in students treating their journals with care instead of carelessness. Each day the first few weeks of school, give students 1-2 topics to brainstorm in their journal. Then have them choose one topic for a quick write. After they have several incomplete quick writes, have them select their favorite to complete and share. Some personal sample topics include: family members, friends, favorite places, favorite music, favorite foods, most special memory, most embarrassing moment, etc. Some other sample topics include: friendship, jealousy, freedom, decisions, war, education, etc. Once students start to develop their ideas journals, you will never again hear, “I don’t know what to write about.” In addition, on the state writing test day students will have tons of ideas to draw from thus increasing their chances for success. It is a win-win all the way around!
4. Write with students and share your writing. Students will learn so much more about writing, and the importance of writing, if you do this. They need to see you struggle as a writer and how you work through your struggles. Spend a few minutes writing while students write before walking around to help them with their writing.
5. Purchase a copy of this year’s “Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market.” You can also get your librarian to purchase a copy. Share this with your students. It has hundreds of listings of where and how students can sell their writing and illustrations. Encourage students to submit their writing for publication outside the classroom. It is a great way for students to see how writing extends beyond the classroom and how they can actually make extra money with their writing. In addition to this, keep a bulletin board of different writing contests students can enter throughout the year.
More on Writing Workshop with Secondary Students in future blogs. Feel free to post your questions or what has worked for you. Also, feel free to contact us if your school or district needs training in Writer’s Workshop.
