Scarsdale Elementary ELA News!
Scarsdale Elementary writing instruction in grades K-5 is conducted through a "workshop model". A writing workshop is a place where students learn the many ways in which writing plays a role in their lives. Students are encouraged to find their voice and creativity through mentor texts, personal experiences, and writing partnerships. Writing workshop allows for student choice, skill development, guidance, and feedback from teachers and peers.
The workshop model promotes self-reflection, develops a community of writers, and, most importantly, provides the time to write. Students generate writing through a systematic process in which specific skills and techniques are taught through demonstration and routine.
Teachers scaffold lessons to increase student independence. The writing of any genre follows a similar cycle of thinking and planning, writing, revising, editing and publishing.
Mini-Lesson: (approximately 10 minutes)
Independent Writing: (20-40 minutes depending upon stamina and age group*)
Conferring and Small Group Work: (takes place during independent reading)
Mid Workshop Teaching: (3-5 minutes)
Share/Closing: (10 minutes)
TOTAL TIME: approximately 40-60 minutes depending upon the grade level
Independent writing stamina should increase over the course of the school year. *