Writing is a Science

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Writing is a Science

• Teach Your Students to Become
• Writing Scientist

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At its most basic we are discussing a learned
skill (writing), but do we not agree that
sometimes the most basic skills can create things
far beyond our expectationsgt We are talking
about tools and carpentry, about words and style
. . . but as we move along, youd do well to
remember that we are also talking about
magic. Stephen King
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Think of something you can do by yourself that
you needed a lot of support before you could do
it alone. List the steps you took to learn.

• Step 4

Step 3
Step 2
Step 1
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Steps to Teaching Writing

• Step 4
• Independent
• Students write alone

Step 3 Guided (students lead, teacher guides)
Step 2 Shared (teacher leads, students join in)
Step 1 Teacher Models
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Modeled Writing

• Demonstrates proficient writing
• Expands access to writing beyond the childs
  ability
• Exposes children to a variety of genre

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Shared Writing

• Model writing strategies
• Teaches writing strategies
• Expands the understanding of the writing process
• Teacher scribes

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Interactive Writing

• Teacher and child choose topic
• Teacher and child share the pen
• Teacher and child compose together

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Guided Writing

• Teacher reinforces Skills
• Teacher engages children in questions and
  discussion
• Children do the writing and practice strategies
• Children build independence

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Independent Writing

• Child chooses the topic
• Child practices at their independent level
• Childs time to practice and demonstrate personal
  value of writing

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What is Writers Workshop?

• It is a framework that organizes the components
  of teaching writing.
• Mini-lesson
• Work Time/Conferencing
• Sharing

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Mini Lesson

• 10-15 minutes
• Teach the content for the day
• Teacher models the writing

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Writing and Conferencing

• Approx. 20-30 minutes
• Students work on their writing
• Teacher conferences with individuals or groups of
  students as necessary

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Sharing

• Students share writing

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Resources

• Picasso has units and lesson plans for all grade
  levels.
• If you would like a set of Picasso lessons,
  please sign the sheet and indicate the grade
  level