This post is written by NCTE member Betsy Hubbard.
“Writers do not write with words and conventions alone; writers write above all with meaning.”
~Lucy Calkins, A Guide to the Writing Workshop Grades 3-5
When I began using the writing workshop model in my classroom, I started to truly understand the importance of meaning within writing. I began to appreciate that my students had stories and ideas that were greater than any topic I could assign. As a teacher, I really began to reflect on my practices, noticing that my students had an investment in their own learning when using this framework. Before using this model, my focus was on the product and appearance of the writing. Growing as an educator forced me to find something better as I watched my students’ writing fail to flourish. Are you a teacher using the writing workshop model? Are you a teacher who is thinking about taking a leap and trying it this fall?
Join us, the co-authors of Two Writing Teachers, on Sunday, August 21st as we tackle the topic, “Why Writing Workshop?” Questions will begin at 8:00 p.m. ET using #NCTEchat.
Here is a preview of the questions:
Betsy loves collaborating with teachers Prek-12 sharing ideas and celebrations of all things related to writing instruction and best practice. As a co-author of Two Writing Teachers, Betsy is able to share this learning with readers across the globe.
Betsy can be found at Two Writing Teachers [http://twowritingteachers.org] and on Twitter @Betsy_writes