Writing+Workshop+-+Chapter+4

**Surviving the first day**
- Don't be afraid of re-using books! Fletcher argues that re-using books is better for the kids as they are not just focussing on what the story is about - they are ready to dissect it and use it as an example of 'sizzling starters' or 'talking marks', etc.

- Oral language is so important! Always talk about your thoughts before writing about them.

- Always begin workshops with story telling.

- Students fuel the learning. By telling stories when they find connections in a book you've read to them, or sharing past experiences that trigger thoughts when you've shown a picture.

- "A writer is someone who makes decisions". I like this statement - it tells the kids if they want to be a good writer they need to stop procrastinating and telling me 'I don't know what to write about..." they need to make a choice and stick with it for the lesson.

- Start telling your own stories as a teacher to have the kids make connections at the start of the year - "Oh yeah that happened to me to!", or "I go to the beach with my family as well!"

- Turn and talk: very important! Something I do VERY often now - gets all of the kids involved rather than the one person you call on with their hand up.

- Share some ideas and be super supportive. Beginning a year with no support in literacy is going to lead nowhere fast! Be super supportive and even over excited when they share their writing, then everyone will want to give you the same reaction and try their best too!

- Fletcher asks you to allow the students to choose their own writing paper. I understand that this will encourage writers if they get more choice in what to write with and on BUT 18 Prep students with loose paper would be a nightmare! So I'm going to leave this strategy for the end of the year when they've all matured a little.

- Write with the kids for 5 minutes to demonstrate effective writing. What does it looks like? Sitting in my chair, looking for words in the room. What does it sound like? Pretty quiet unless I'm sounding my words out or sharing an idea with a friend.

**Conferring**

 * -** Reader before corrector to begin. Pay attention to the content before scribbling all over their masterpiece in red pen!

- Always find something to celebrate! Must leave the kids with a positive feeling - they've accomplished something! Big or small - "you've used finger spaces all the way through, awesome job!" or "you've created a narrative because you have a beginning, middle and end - you're a fantastic writer!"

- Interview each child and write down all of their interest, family, friends, sports, toys, etc. Have it ready to inspire them when they have nothing to write about. This would take quite some time but it would be so useful!

- Allow the kids to share unfinished work because it encourages them to stay with their writing - revising - rather than rushing to completion. AND because then kids see their writing as a draft and not 'chiselled in stone'.

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