Our Writing School Improvement Goal is: Through the close reading of fiction and non-fiction texts, King students will gather and use text evidence to inform and strengthen informational and opinion writing. Additionally, King students will continue to master the craft of writing in all three genres: narrative, informational, and opinion utilizing Writer’s Workshop daily.
The Components of Writers' Workshop are:
Writers Workshop is a framework for writing instruction and practice in the classroom.
1. Mini Lesson (5-10 minutes)
2. Independent Writing Time (20 - 30 minutes)
3. Conferencing (takes place during writing time)
4. Sharing/Author's Chair (5-10 minutes)
The Components of Writers' Workshop are:
Writers Workshop is a framework for writing instruction and practice in the classroom.
1. Mini Lesson (5-10 minutes)
- Provides explicit instruction in a specific aspect of writing
- Often recorded on chart paper; these 'anchor charts' are later displayed around the room so that students can refer to them as they wish.
- Focus is on four main areas: procedures and organisation (routines), strategies and processes, skills, craft and techniques
2. Independent Writing Time (20 - 30 minutes)
- students are working their way through the writing process - planning, drafting, revising, conferencing, editing, publishing
- teacher is conferencing with individual students, as well as monitoring, encouraging, and providing help as needed
- each student is writing on their own topic and in their own genre
- a 'Writers Notebook' or folder may be used for this purpose
3. Conferencing (takes place during writing time)
- can take place with a peer or with the teacher
- should be kept short
4. Sharing/Author's Chair (5-10 minutes)
- focus on students sharing examples taken from the mini-lesson conducted earlier
- students do not necessarily share their whole piece e.g. if it's a good begining, they share only the beginning
- try to use a special chair - the 'Author's Chair'
- allows students to learn from each other and to see/hear good examples of writing
Mrs. Webster’s Weekend Writing Challenges
For the 2016-2017 School Year
Overview: The writing prompts will be announced once a month during morning announcements on the dates listed below. Please encourage your child to complete the weekend writing challenge over the weekend. The purpose of Mrs. Webster’s Weekend Writing Challenge is to encourage students to write at home using the writing skills they learned at school. The writing prompts will be due on the Monday or school day immediately following the weekend (Example: The September 2nd writing prompt will be due on Tuesday, September 6th because we do not have school on Monday, September 5th). Please make sure your child’s first and last name, grade level, and teacher's name are written on the writing prompts before he/she brings his/her writing prompt to school; this will ensure your child receive recognition for completing the challenge.
September 2, 2016: Why is it important not to give up when something seems difficult? Why should you continue to persevere (Keep pursuing your goals despite difficulty or obstacles) even when the task/job seems too hard?
October 7, 2016: A STAR at King School is Successful Through Acting Responsibly. Describe things a responsible King School STAR does.
November 22, 2016: Discuss and describe things or people you are thankful for.
December 16, 2016: Decorate the attached King School Shining STAR. Take your King School Shining STAR on adventures during your Winter Vacation (examples: sledding, shopping, to a family member’s or friend’s house, skating, to the movies, traveling, etc.). Write about the adventures you take your King School Shining STAR on during your vacation. If you can add pictures of yourself with your King School Shining STAR to your writing, that will be great!
January 13, 2016: Our school is named in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Write about important contributions Dr. King made to our country.
February 16, 2016: Why should you treat people with compassion and kindness?
March 15, 2016: Integrity is being honest and always doing the right thing. Why should you always be honest and do the right thing?
April 12, 2016: Why is it important to work hard in school and strive for academic success?
May 12, 2016: Summer vacation is coming in a few weeks. Describe things you enjoy doing in the summer.
For the 2016-2017 School Year
Overview: The writing prompts will be announced once a month during morning announcements on the dates listed below. Please encourage your child to complete the weekend writing challenge over the weekend. The purpose of Mrs. Webster’s Weekend Writing Challenge is to encourage students to write at home using the writing skills they learned at school. The writing prompts will be due on the Monday or school day immediately following the weekend (Example: The September 2nd writing prompt will be due on Tuesday, September 6th because we do not have school on Monday, September 5th). Please make sure your child’s first and last name, grade level, and teacher's name are written on the writing prompts before he/she brings his/her writing prompt to school; this will ensure your child receive recognition for completing the challenge.
September 2, 2016: Why is it important not to give up when something seems difficult? Why should you continue to persevere (Keep pursuing your goals despite difficulty or obstacles) even when the task/job seems too hard?
October 7, 2016: A STAR at King School is Successful Through Acting Responsibly. Describe things a responsible King School STAR does.
November 22, 2016: Discuss and describe things or people you are thankful for.
December 16, 2016: Decorate the attached King School Shining STAR. Take your King School Shining STAR on adventures during your Winter Vacation (examples: sledding, shopping, to a family member’s or friend’s house, skating, to the movies, traveling, etc.). Write about the adventures you take your King School Shining STAR on during your vacation. If you can add pictures of yourself with your King School Shining STAR to your writing, that will be great!
January 13, 2016: Our school is named in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Write about important contributions Dr. King made to our country.
February 16, 2016: Why should you treat people with compassion and kindness?
March 15, 2016: Integrity is being honest and always doing the right thing. Why should you always be honest and do the right thing?
April 12, 2016: Why is it important to work hard in school and strive for academic success?
May 12, 2016: Summer vacation is coming in a few weeks. Describe things you enjoy doing in the summer.