Let's Write! Writer's Workshop

Let's build community as we develop our writing skills together! This goal of this class is to get your learners creative juices flowing as they build their writing fluency and create a unique piece of work during each class meeting. 

This class follows the format of a mini Writer's Workshop session. Writer's Workshop provides a framework for writing instruction, but allows for learners to be creative and write about whatever topic they would like. The flexibility of writing topic opens the door for learners to get excited about their writing and focus on topics that they enjoy. 

Each class will follow the same format, but will focus on a different beginning writing skill. 
1. We will begin class with a mini-lesson on a writing topic. Mini-lesson topics include the 5 W's, labeling nouns, using punctuation, proper capitalization, and leaving spaces between words. 
2. Next, we will work on drafting our stories. Learners will be guided through the writing process, step-by-step, to make their own story complete with a drawing and writing to tell what their story is about. While working, learners will be able to share ideas and discuss their writing. Help will be provided to any learners having a hard time deciding what to write on their own. 
3. At the end of class, learners will all be given an opportunity to share their writing with the group. Sharing is encouraged but not required. 


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Class Schedule
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***December***
Week of December 15th: The 5Ws (who, what, when, where, why)
Week of December 22nd: ***NO CLASS***
Week of December 29th: ***NO CLASS***

***January***
Our focus this month is on personal narratives. Learners will be writing stories about things that they have experienced. 

Week of January 5th: Introduction: What is a personal narrative? Identifying Beginning, Middle, and End (Part 1)

Week of January 12th: Identifying Beginning, Middle, and End (Part 2)/Write about a favorite memory with family/friends

Week of January 19th: Write about a time you were really excited.

Week of January 26th: Write about something fun you have done recently


***February***
Our focus this month will be on nouns. We will learn the difference between common and proper nouns and practice using proper capitalization in our writing. Writing topics will be free choice this month. We will extend our mini-lesson practice with nouns to our writing by underlining all the nouns we use to write our stories. 

Week of February 2nd: Introduction- What is a noun? 

Week of February 9th: Differentiating between common and proper nouns

Week of February 16th: What gets a capital letter? Part 1 (Focus: The first letter of the first word in each sentence, names of people, names of pets)

Week of February 23rd: What gets a capital letter? Part 2 (Focus: Months of the year/days of the week, names of holidays, the word "I")

***March***
Our focus this month will be on adjectives. We will learn what adjectives do and practice using them to describe in our writing. 

Week of March 2nd: What are adjectives? 

Week of March 9th: Using adjectives to describe/identifying adjectives in sentences

Week of March 16th: "Monster Adjectives" (Learners will create a "monster" and use adjectives to describe it in writing.

Week of March 23rd: Using adjectives to describe/identifying adjectives in sentences

Week of March 30th: Adjectives Wrap up and Review 

***April***
Our focus this month will be on writing strong sentences. 

Week of April 6th: "Stretch a sentence" Lesson 1
Week of April 13th: ***NO CLASS***
Week of April 20th: "Stretch a sentence" Lesson 2
Week of April 27th: "Stretch a sentence" Lesson 3