Chapters 9, 10 and 13

I thought these chapters were very helpful in helping me understand how to implement writing workshop.  I liked how she gave examples about ways to conduct focus lessons and that even though the students are working independently during this time you are still teaching.  It is not time for you to sit back and play games on the computer like some teachers probably do.  Katie talked about the five aspects of writing workshop: environent, demonstration, direct instruction, inquiry and the potential of the world.  I loved how Katie talked about homework for writing workshop and how children and even adults can get so many ideas from the world around them.  When I conduct writing workshop I would have students keep a journal with them so when they come ac cross something that inspires them to write they can write it down for when they come to class.

The first grade classroom I am in now does writing workshop everyday.  The teacher thinks writing is a very valuable skill for students to have and pushes them to become better writers.  She allows them to think about whatever they want to write about.  She even reads different books from a certain author and allows students to write about the differences between the books the author wrote.  She also has students read their stories out loud to the class as they sit in a circle and she asks them questions on how they think they can better their writing.

I think that Katie talked about a lot of good strategies to give to the students in the class and how not every student will use that strategy that day in class but will keep them with them for a later date.  What I worry about is not being able to think of many helpful strategies for my students.  I like to write and do have some experience as a writer but have not studied various authors and really thought of my writing process.  How would I teach students strategies when I can't really think of some myself?

Writing Workshop in the Classroom

I always thought that a teacher was the sole factor that affected the tone of the classroom.  I have gone to numerous classrooms in the same grade but they have all been different.  After reading chapter four I see that there are many other things that affect the tone of a classroom.  For a writing workshop for example allowing students opportunities to read books and discuss books, having different kinds of texts such as newspapers and magazines around, and encouraging students to write are great ways to encourage students to be writers.  I went to private school from kindergarten to eleventh grade and for the most part my teachers always encouraged us to write.  In my field experience I have seen that it is not so anymore.  I think that teachers are so pressured to have their students pass standardized tests that they simply teach to the text.  The standardized tests give students multiple choice questions about texts and force students to pick the best answer.  I was taught to read between the line and make my own conclusions based on what I read.


I also think that teachers count students writing math story problems and filling out worksheets are ways to help students practice their writing.  This type of writing is known as writing to support your life, such as notes and reflections.  Writing to communicate is the other form of writing such as short stories and poems.  I think writing workshop is great because it gives students the opportunity to use their imagination and to read each other's work and give their opinions to make it better.  It helps students learn about the writing process.  In chapter five Katie talks about the whole routine of school, such as lunch.  Lunch is at the same time every day and students do the same rituals every day.  How would I get my students used to writing workshop if I did not have time to do it every day or at the same time?