The Writing Workshop: Detail

In Craft Lessons: Teaching Writing K-8 by Ralph Fletcher, we chose to focus on the topic of detail, more specifically, "Using Details to Create 'Mind Pictures'" (p.29).

We chose to show an ebook version of Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak to reinforce the craft lesson's topic of writing about a dream using detail. We chose the ebook because of the engaging voice of the reader, and for the sound effects that the video provided to make the book come alive.

(click on the book cover to be redirected to Amazon.com for bibliography info, and to purchase the book!)

Kindergarten Common Core Standards used:

1. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.K.2: use a combination of drawing and dictating to compose explanatory texts in which they name what they are writing about and supply information about it.

2. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.K.3: use a combination of drawing and dictating to narrate a single event.

In the writing workshop...

paper crowns were provided to write on, with a designated space for a drawing. Students were asked to write, in detail, about a dream they have had or a made up one.

• Crayons, markers, etc. were provided at each table

• Students were told that when classical music started playing, it was time to return to the sharing space on the carpet.

• As for conferencing, we walked around the room and helped students as needed.

Some great points made in class...

• Instead of "teaching" or "imparting" information to the students, work as a team where students are guiding the learning (Socratic Method)

• In a Writing Workshop with older students, focus more on the "pressing" part instead of the "blessing" part, asking students how their work can become even better

• You can share a story with a child without teaching content- there's still content there

Questions/Discussion Points:

1. Writing Workshop: While reading, a phrase really jumped out at me- "public writing" (p.145). When we think of writing workshops or writing practice, it's almost always individualized, but this idea of creating a piece of writing as a group is so important as well! Good writers can work together to combine important ideas/bounce ideas off of each other. I think that it is so important to do "public writing" with our students for them to experience this kind of writing.

2. Writing Workshop: "We don't have to have some big 'anticipatory set' to start the lesson or some catchy way of getting attention. Gimmicks 'to get their attention' assume that students have no reason to be interested in what we are getting ready to say" (p.146). We always assume that we need some catchy way to make sutdents want to work, when it should be an intrinsic need or want to learn, and we can help them develop this.

Love,

Ms. Verner