Sometimes it can be a challenge to organize your curriculum in a way that is easy to use.
Deedee Wills and I have been working on reorganizing and updating our writing workshop units.
Deedee Wills and I have been working on reorganizing and updating our writing workshop units.
I prefer to keep my units in these 2″ binders. You can find the spine labels at the end of this post.
I will walk you through a unit to show you how it’s organized.
Each unit starts with a unit overview.
You can also easily see the standards that are addressed in the unit.
A writing continuum is provided so you can see where your students fall in their writing development. This is especially helpful during writing conferences and when you are working on setting writing goals.
Each unit contains an updated rubric specific to that unit of study.
There is one for emergent writers (kindergarten).
And another one for early writers (1st Grade).
You can also create a classroom chart so student-lead goals can be selected. These goals are aligned to the rubric.
Each day contains a scripted lesson plan that is very easy to implement.
Kid-friendly anchor charts are easy to use… just print and teach!
Conferring helpful hints are also included.
At the close of each unit, I would collect the writing samples from the students and we would create a unit book. I would retain one writing piece for their writing portfolio and the rest would be sent home. A unit specific parent letter explains what lessons were taught during the month.
My student’s parents loved it!
This is what the cover of our book looked like. There are several grade level options for the cover as well as a black and white version of each.
Each unit has a wide range of paper options.
And resources to help support the writer.
Mentor texts can be added to each binder. Then when it is time to teach that unit, all of the resources are at your fingertips!
Some books (like How To Draw books) are used through out the year. So I created a special bin just for them.
I love watching the growth of young writers. When students are given the freedom to select their own topic, magical things can happen. This piece was done during our informational text unit and it me smile.
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| Princesses live in a castle. Princess wear dresses. |
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| A princess rides in a carriage. And they go to a ball. |
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| The princess is looking for a prince. HA! |
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| I am a princess too! |
You can also grab the Mentor Text List at the end of this post.
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Curriculum Map, Mentor Texts, Binder Organization and MORE!
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Do you or your colleagues have a similar program for 5th grade?
Yes, anything for 4th and 5th grade?
Do you have a binder spine label for the opinions unit?
Do you know if this would work for grade 3 or could you recommend a similar program for grade 3? This looks amazing!!
I would also be interested in this for fourth grade. It looks awesome.
Where is the link for the bundle? I'm interested. Great Job putting it all together.
Wow! This is so well organized. It makes total sense and gives the teacher all the elements they need to have successful writers workshops. I agree with the comments above, I would love to see a fifth grade version. 🙂
I am being moved from K to 1st this year. I have the reading, math and writing bundles. My questions is can I use the same writing, and reading bundle? Or would I need to purchase something different.
I am wondering the same…do you have something similar for third grade?
Do you have anything for grade 6?
Publishing-Do you all not edit spelling? I have a little bit of hesitation about displaying something that is not spelled correctly even though I teach Kinder. It stems from my grad work and discussions about that. It also has to do with parents would think. Can you enlighten me?
Because we are working on developmental spelling, I do not correct their spelling, but rather guide students towards stretching sounds out. Writers workshop is about developing the writer, not perfecting the writing. You may want to look into the work of Matt Glover. He is fantastic!
Great resource
I am moving from 3rd to 1st. Is this for first?
Absolutely! It includes kindergarten and first grade rubrics!
Yes! Absolutely perfect for first grade.
Fourth grade??
Awww! Darn it! We only have a curriculum that goes up to 2nd grade specifically. That unit could work nicely for 3rd grade, but I think it would be a stretch to go up to 4th grade.