Writer's Workshop, the core of my writing curriculum, is a 90-minute block of writing, critiquing, editing, and sharing that will take place at least 3 times a week in our classroom.  This is clearly one of my favorite parts of the week (as it often is for the kids), but it requires a great deal of discipline and self-control in order to be conducted properly.  When running properly, students truly begin taking ownership of their writing, and when this happens, writers are born. 

The format for Writer's Workshop is thus:

For the first 15 minutes of Writer’s Workshop, I teach a mini-lesson to the writers (I refer to my students as writers during this part of the day).  This can be as simple as how to use a paper clip or as complex as examining the symbolism in Whitman's "Oh Captain, My Captain."  Each lesson is designed to help my writers become more efficient and more effective at their craft.

Following the mini-lesson, there is a 30-minute block of silent writing.  The writers are given 1-3 ideas to write about, but are also allowed to write on any topic they wish.  My first mini-lessons provide the writers with a wealth of writing topics and strategies to develop even more, so writers infrequently use the topics that I provide.  As long as they are writing, writers can also choose any form desired, including poetry, prose, songs, plays, or simply lists.  As long as the pencil is moving, any form of writing is acceptable.  Writers will also leave the room at this time to go "On Assignment."  While On Assignment, students may go anywhere within the school in order to seek inspiration.  Favorite spots include the art wing (with all its prints), the stage (with all its costumes and sets), outside the music room (with all its music), and in the cafeteria (one never knows what can happen during a kindergarten lunch!).  Writers can also schedule appointments to visit other teacher's classrooms in order to seek inspiration there.  

Following this 30 minutes of writing is 30 minutes of "Choice Time".  Students have the choice of continuing writing,  conference in pairs, do some shared writing, or conference with the Master Writer.  The Master Writer is an writer chosen to work with small groups of writers because of his or her talent or particular writing skill that I think is worthy of being shared.  The Master Writer works for two weeks with students, and then a new Master Writer is chosen. 

During this 30 minutes of conferencing, I also conference with students on a one-on-one basis, discussing and helping to revise poetry that had already been written last week but required revision.  For some students, it is simply a matter of developing a better title, clearing up a line that was unclear, or adding more elaboration.  For other students, we spend a longer period of time tearing their poems apart and re-building them piece-by-piece.  I am normally able to conference with about 5 kids during this 30 minute block, some for as short as a minute and others for as long as ten minutes. 

The final 15 minutes of Writer’s Workshop is spent sharing the work of student writers.  I usually choose about three students to read their work, and adults sometimes have the opportunity to share as well. 

It's oftentimes the best part of our day.