Description

The WriteShop Primary Teacher’s Guide books each provide information on how to organize the study along with plans for using two different levels with two students at different grade levels. Books provide introduction material, information for setting up and supplying a home writing center, specific information for teaching the writing lessons, and evaluation guidelines. Each lesson is based around a theme, but these themes can be altered or adapted to allow for integration of the writing lessons with other theme-based studies. Lesson formats are similar and include guided writing practice, pre-writing activities, brainstorming, a writing project, publishing the project, and ideas for “doing more”. Each lesson includes an activity that reinforces some aspect of the lesson. While the lessons are not totally scripted, they are well laid-out and easy to follow. Teacher prep is minimal requiring reading through the lessons, equipping a writing center that Is either “permanent” or “packable”, and occasionally cutting out paper shapes, etc. The heart of the program – guided writing practice – is kept simple (but carefully structured to lay a foundation in writing) and short (5-10 minutes).