Writer's Workshop

Writer's Workshop is a teaching technique that invites young authors to write by making the process a meaningful part of the class curriculum. Writing is an expected activity on a daily basis. The students at the ECLC are exposed to the: organization of a book; thoughts that are required to create a story; and how to write about a favorite topic. When we devote time for children to make books that sound like and look like those that the parents and teachers read to them everyday -- children begin to see themselves as writers.

Try reading books that are:

  • rich in language

  • written by professional authors

  • award winners (Caldecott/Newberry) that can inspire young authors/illustrators.

How to do Writer's Workshop-

  1. Gather some sheets of paper. Your book may simply be one sheet of paper folded in half or several sheets of paper stapled together. You can use any type of paper for this activity.

  2. Start with a mini lesson (see one of the videos below).

  3. Sit down with your child and talk with them while they are writing; commenting on the colors, pictures and story. For example, you might say, “I noticed that you used different colors when making flowers.”

  4. Have your child share/read the book they have created with someone.

Front Cover

Early writers put their author name on the front cover of their book. They draw pictures on the front cover to give a clue to the reader what their book is about. They also give their book a title. Can you add your name, a picture of what your book is about, and a title to your Writer's Workshop Book?

Fly Page

Some authors/ illustrators add decorated fly pages in their books. Can you add decorated fly pages in your Writer's Workshop books?


Dedication Page

Some books have a dedication page. This is when the writer dedicates the book to someone they love. Can you dedicate your book to someone?

Beginning, Middle, & End

Growing writers know how to tell a story that has a beginning, a middle, and an end. Can you write a story that has a beginning, middle, and an end?

Same Idea

Beginning writers remember to continue with the same idea throughout their entire writer's workshop book. Can you remember to keep the same idea going on each page of your Writer's Workshop book?

Adding Talking Bubbles

Mo Willems uses talking bubbles in his Pigeon books. A talking bubble is used to show the reader exactly what a book character says during the story. Can you add any talking bubbles to your Writer's Workshop Books?

Adding Details

Sometimes writers think they are done with their books, but did you know you can always go back and add more details? In this video, there is a farm book, and, if you look at the pages inside the book, you'll notice that the author/illustrator adds more than one color. They added lots of details that you might see on a farm: grass, water, sky, ducks, pigs, chickens, mud, flowers, and even splashing! Can you add more color or other specific details in your Writer's Workshop Book?


Back Cover

All books have a back cover. Most books have an illustration on the back. Can you add a drawing on your back cover?

Growing Writers

Growing writers can use these tips to give them more ideas to include in their Writer's Workshop book.

  • Draw lines

  • Draw shapes

  • Draw people

  • Add colors

  • Add details

  • Fill up the white space

  • Add words

  • Draw something on every page

What can you add to your book to make it look more like Eric Carle’s or Mo Willems’?