Writing+Workshop+-+Chapter+7

Reading
- Helps kids to learn how to write! Scary stories always end in the same way - "So every time you walk past the haunted house you can see the old mans face in the attic window"...

- Picture story books are perfect for all workshops - they demonstrate how excellent short stories can be, demonstrate a range of writing techniques, and are a great example of what the kids will be writing in their hour long workshop.

- Connections. Reading helps draw connection - text to text, text to self (most common) and text to world.

- Reading aloud is a great way to build connections to your students. Reading aloud helps to build a community where you are all stepping inside Hogwarts for the first time together or seeing all of the beautiful creatures in Uno's garden together. The simple fact that it helps us build bonds with our students is reason enough to read aloud often! Having a positive relationship with your teacher can only influence your writing in a positive way.

- Use reading to help you discover what kind of writer you want to be! People always return to their favourite authors so that they can be awed over and over again. I would love to be able to write just like JK Rowling! And I will aspire to do so, and I will show my kids that I have this asspiration and as they find authors they love hopefully it will inspire them to write just as they do!

- Book discussions can help to pull apart a text discovering underlying themes and stories. This can be done in small group or whole class situations. I'd love to give this a go with my top writers to encourage inferring and deepen their thinking.