We use the Lucy Calkins model for our writers' workshop. In this model, we have a brief 15-20 minute mini-lesson followed by 40-45 minutes of solid writing time. During this time, students are asked to brainstorm story ideas, draft stories, revise, edit, and write final drafts of their stories. They may have several unfinished stories in the notebook before choosing one to take all the way through the writing process. After completion of the stories, we'll have a writer's celebration in our classroom!
Our first unit of study is over personal narratives. Students will be writing true stories about their lives. Through these personal narratives, we'll learn how to write with feelings, conversation, and details that really help the reader picture what happened and the writer to relive the experience.
After personal narratives, we'll move into poetry, essays, memoirs, literary essays, and fiction stories.
Writing Sites
Elements of Fairy Tales- http://www.manatee.k12.fl.us/sites/elementary/samoset/gr2ftelements.htm
