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Writing workshop turns the table and puts the kids in charge.

Kids are more involved as it makes them more responsible and more in charge

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The Writing Workshop
Quote: It is crucial for students to have frequent, predictable time set aside for them to write.

I did a song writing weekend a few weekends ago. For me this idea of regularly finding time to write is really important. If I write (songs) for 10 minutes each day I get better. And everytime I come to writing I am comfortable with it. If I have a great writing session for an hour and don't go back to it for three weeks it is like starting all over again.

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Quote:
we need to create an environment where students of varying abilities can coexist side by side and learn from one another.
Takeaway
The teacher sets up the structure and looks at their schedule and prunes out less effective methods to ensure there is a regular writing timetable in place.

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Quote - "Let's get right down to it: while the teachers may determine what gets taught, only the student can decide what will be learned".
Takeaway - Minilessons are short, focussed and direct. Also the consistent structure of the hour session and how it matches the Reader's Workshop.

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Quote:...It is crucial for students to have frequent, predictable time set aside for them to write."
Takeaway: When timetabling I need to ensure that appropriate flexible time is set aside to ensure the needs of the writers are met.

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Quote : Teaching kids how to write is hard.
Take away: Students need to understand the purpose of the writing task. They learn best when they have a reason to want to learn.

Narelle

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Quote: Mini lessons are short, focused and direct.
Take-away: Once lesson is taught then the teacher gets off the stage and let the children practise and learn.

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Quote : "writing is not so much one skill as a bundle of skills "
Takeaway : Individual writing still requires routine and structure.

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"Teach the writer, not the writing. The idea is to add to the young writer's repertoire of strategies - not merely improve a particular piece of writing, but to improve all the writing a student will do" p.52
"Good teachers find a way to put themselves out of a job" p.122
TAKE AWAY - writing should be taught as a process over time, not a product created in one session only.
Jacqi

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Rob's Input!The Writing Workshop... My quote and what I took away...

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Rob's Input!The Writing Workshop... My quote and what I took away...

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Quote:  We learn best when we have a reason that propels us to want to learn.

What I took away...
I loved the analogy which related writing to skiing - the children in question learned rapidly and enthusiastically because their teachers talked the talk (and looked the part!), they believed in doing instead of just talking, they EXPECTED plenty of failure and they built on strengths

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Quote - Teaching writing is hard ...
Takeaway - Routines are established so they have lots of time to work

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Quote: "While the teachers may determine what gets taught, only the student can decide what will be learned."
Takeaway: The enthusiasm that I have observed from students who have been keen, eager and proud of their writing.

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Quote:  The writing workshop puts kids on the spot and makes them responsible for their learning.

Takeaway: How writers workshop helps improve students writing and enable  students to take charge of their own learning.

Structure of the Writing workshop

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Quote: ...the individual enters a "flow zone" in which he or she loses track of time and becomes totally engaged in the task. That's what we are shooting for in the writing workshop."
Take away: I think this sounds absolutely wonderful but I do wonder how we can expect EVERY student to be engaged.