I am about to begin my "how to" unit or in fancy language "procedural writing." Writing Workshop is my favorite time of the day with my students. I am amazed by the progress they make from September to June. I just finished writing a three week "how to" unit. I aligned it to the Common Core using the New York State Education Department's website (I teach in upstate NY).
I model my writing workshop after the books and articles I have read by Lucy Calkins. I was very fortunate to be able to attend some of her workshops at the Teacher's College Reading and Writing Project in NYC. If you are not familiar with Lucy Calkins or her work, I really suggest you read some of her books. She is wonderful and the lessons I learned from the workshops I attended had a strong impact on my teaching. Another great book I have used for my Writing Workshop is About the Authors by Katie Wood Ray. This is another book every primary teacher should own.
The unit includes three weeks of daily mini lessons, stationary or "how to" writing paper for each stage of the process, ideas for anchor charts, an invitation for the publishing party and an editing checklist. Be sure to check it out at TPT. Click on the picture!
