academic choice · agency · authentic writing · choice · freedom · Resetting Our Workshop Practices Blog Series

Graphic Organizers Limit Creativity: Resetting Our Workshop Practices

Many teachers assign graphic organizers to help students learn about structure and organization. But do these organizers actually impede authentic writing and student agency? Read about why Leah chose to stop mandating graphic organizers, and some tips for letting go!

writing workshop

First Draft Writing

When I was first learning about Writing Workshop, it was difficult for me to wrap my head around the process each student would be going through. I spent a lot of time thinking and re-thinking the writing process and the way it would become individualized. Going from idea to notebook to draft to publication seemed… Continue reading First Draft Writing

drafting · focus lesson · minilesson

Moving from Storyboards to Drafts.

In Keith Bollman's fifth grade class, students are beginning to consider moving into drafts.  They've envisioned their writing and are moving out of the rehearsal stage and into drafting.  Today I taught them how to stretch a scene.  The Great Pumpkin Switch by Megan Mcdonald and Ted Lewin  is one of the texts in play in the… Continue reading Moving from Storyboards to Drafts.