Writing Program Gets Kids on Paper
I hadn't heard about this program (probably because my kids are out of K-8) featured in this Times' article this morning. From the article:
"A new method of teaching writing is making a huge difference in several Seattle schools. Teachers using the Writers Workshop system teach a 10- to 15-minute "mini-lesson" on a single strategy or topic, followed by 30 or 40 minutes of writing, every day. Students choose their own topics. Teachers participate, too, working their way through the process of writing."
Also,
"Writers Workshop is a Columbia University Teachers College program that has been successful in New York schools for decades. Seven Seattle middle schools began using the program last year with the help of Nesholm Family Foundation and Alliance for Education grants.This year, every K-8 and middle school is involved at some level, and the district funded training and materials for four elementary schools. Other schools are participating in training, and there are plans to expand it across the district — a $1.5 million to $2 million expense. "
There are links to several students' writings. You should check out the one by Gabe Braun, a 5th grader at Lowell. It is incredibly broad thinking for a 5th grader.
"A new method of teaching writing is making a huge difference in several Seattle schools. Teachers using the Writers Workshop system teach a 10- to 15-minute "mini-lesson" on a single strategy or topic, followed by 30 or 40 minutes of writing, every day. Students choose their own topics. Teachers participate, too, working their way through the process of writing."
Also,
"Writers Workshop is a Columbia University Teachers College program that has been successful in New York schools for decades. Seven Seattle middle schools began using the program last year with the help of Nesholm Family Foundation and Alliance for Education grants.This year, every K-8 and middle school is involved at some level, and the district funded training and materials for four elementary schools. Other schools are participating in training, and there are plans to expand it across the district — a $1.5 million to $2 million expense. "
There are links to several students' writings. You should check out the one by Gabe Braun, a 5th grader at Lowell. It is incredibly broad thinking for a 5th grader.
Comments
The kids in her class who don't know their letter sounds are just making stories with pictures. I can't help feeling that time would be better spent learning letter sounds, but since writers workshop only allows for one-on-one teaching, the teacher can't take the time to do that. Each kid only sees the teacher about once a week.
It sounds great for older kids, but making pre-literate kids do writing everyday isn't working out so well.
Writers workshop is quite freeing for both students and teachers, and gives kids the tools to revise and assess their own writing throughout their school years and beyond. It is much more practical and engaging than the "skill and drill" approach, or a lack of real-world or consistent writing with a giant "report" looming at the end of a term. I am thrilled to see this approach in Seattle schools.
Most important to me, it is instilling a love of learning and writing for her. Last week (during Christmas break) she asked if I would make her some Writers Workshop pages so she could write stories and draw pictures for them. She is more inclined toward math/patterns than language so this was wonderful for me to hear.
Most parents in her class and the teachers agree, this is a great program.
So, in the end, though I was happy to see so much writing, I think a lot of bad habits were developed and ingrained, and I wasn't very pleased.
This should NOT be the case with the workshop. Self/peer/teacher assessment is a major component of any workshop, and teachers should build in time to meet with every student one-on-one to discuss his/her writing and take note of areas of weakness (as well as strengths).
I don't care what strategies a teacher employs for writing instruction - a lack of self/teacher assessment and REVISION of student work is a real problem. You can't just present a five-minute mini-lesson and expect all the kids to apply the given skill or technique perfectly. If students don't learn how to take a look at their own and others' work critically, as well as rework writing to improve it, they will not learn how to write effectively.
Our son Dalai Whitehorn (whose poem "Macaroni" is among the writing samples) used to dread writing. Now it's his favorite subject at school, and it is thrilling to watch his progress. (Especially for two lit majors.)
We credit the Columbia Writer's Workshop and his dedicated teacher, who endures far more Disney and Nintendo and Pokemon than most of us could tolerate!