As a teacher it can be tough to inspire and motivate young people to write. 

How can we get our writers to be engaged,  experimenting with their reading, seeing themselves as writers, creating rich range of texts for a rich range of purposes, and build a writing community?

This is where the Writing Workshop comes in.

What is the Writing Workshop?

The workshop model is generally described as having three components: 

• Mini Lesson: Focusing on the TO and WITH
• Independent Learning: Focusing on  the BY
• Reflection/Share: Allows for metacognition of what has been done, achieved, applied, tried, discovered etc.

This model is built on the recognisable theory of the Gradual Release of Responsibility. The whole workshop implies activity, action, motivation to grow, try, explore and understand. So a Writing Workshop will begin with a Good Writer Mini Lesson.

Writing Workshops can only be as good as the literature that surrounds your students: Read Aloud so that language can sit upon the ear and be drawn upon – rhythm and rhyme, phrases and wondrous words, access to great quality literature for students to read themselves, becoming aware of what the writer is doing and reading/thinking like a writer.

In this episode, Sharon talks in detail about what to teach in a mini lesson, the writing process, how to 'be a writer', what to model, practical application and many other tools, tips and resources.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Animal Antics https://www.booktopia.com.au/animal-antics-dk/book/9780241420263.html?source=pla&gclid=CjwKCAiAyc2BBhAaEiwA44-wW0POheY9yRDjS4fsHYA-pBISeu9U6FXR4madKkEUiys5w0UgUk5hbhoCadIQAvD_BwE
• Big Book of Aussie Inventions https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-great-big-book-of-aussie-inventions-chris-roy-taylor/book/9781921526206.html\
• Fantasy Encyclopedia https://www.amazon.com/Fantasy-Encyclopedia-Judy-Allen/dp/0753458470
• Our Planet https://www.penguin.com.au/books/our-planet-9780593079768
• Quick Write books: Teachific - https://www.teachific.com.au/find?page=1&search_type=standard&query=quick%20write&category_group=0
• Writer’s Notebook cover : Teachific https://www.teachific.com.au/view/747/book-cover-writers-notebook
• Ideas for Mini Lessons in Writing : Teachific https://www.teachific.com.au/find?page=1&search_type=standard&query=mini%20lessons%20wr&category_group=0
• A5 exercise book at Officeworks (cut in half horizontally).

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The Teacher’s Tool Kit For Literacy is the free podcast for motivated teachers and school leaders who want the latest tips, tricks and tools to inspire their students and school community in literacy learning. 

Hear from literacy expert and founder of Cue Learning, Sharon  Callen, and special guests.

At Cue Learning, our literacy specialists draw on over 30 years of teaching and international consulting experience to deliver world-class learning solutions. We equip, empower and support teachers to become their authentic selves. 

To find out about upcoming events, and about how Cue can help you and your school, visit the Cue Learning website http://www.cuelearning.com.au/ and sign up to our newsletter http://www.cuelearning.com.au/contact-us.html

And you can get even more amazing teaching resources, right now, at Teachific https://www.teachific.com.au/.

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