Teaching Writing Workshop at Home

Do you feel like teaching writing to your learner at home is a struggle? Maybe you’re homeschooling or maybe you’re “after schooling.” Either way, I’m SO excited to share a love of mine: teaching writing workshop at home!

Using the writing workshop model is my absolute favorite way to teach writing in the classroom…and at home! This is because writing workshop teaches the craft of writing through the writing process.

And today, I’m sharing some resources with you that will not only help you, but excite you about teaching writing workshop at home, too! {That would be a miracle, right?}

*This post contains affiliate links.

 

What Exactly is Writing Workshop?

Writing workshop is a way of teaching writing that allows kids to write using the writing process.

This process includes things like:

1. brainstorming ideas
2. organizing ideas
3. drafting/writing
4. revising
5. editing
6. publishing & sharing

All along the process, you interact with and ask questions of the “author” {also known as conferring}. This is the same writing process professional authors go through, as mentioned in What Do Authors Do? 

 

 

Teaching Writing Workshop at Home

I have to admit that teaching writing workshop is “messy” compared to the nice, neatly boxed writing prompts and copywork pages. {And I’m not totally dismissing the use of these. We use them from time to time.} With writing workshop, we release a lot more of the control and writing choices to the learner.

But, there are some FANTASTIC resources I have had a chance to explore and use with my own kids that I want to share today with you.

 

1. WriteShop Curriculum

Last year, we were given the opportunity to use WriteShop’s curriculum, which spans from young writers through high school. You can read my tongue and cheek review of Level C here. If you aren’t sure what level you’d need, you can look it up here.

WriteShop provides a year’s worth of writing workshop curriculum with printable packs and lesson outlines through different types of writing {genres}.

If you’re looking for a writing curriculum that can guide you, I’d highly recommend WriteShop over any other homeschool curriculum out there {and I’ve looked at a bunch}.

 

2. How to Teach to Write…and Love it!

The Measured Mom has just released her writing workshop ebook. Talk about brilliant. {I’m actually a little jealous I didn’t write it!}

In it, you’ll find 250+ pages of information about writing workshop and 100+ pages of writing workshop printables for K-8. WOW! I already have my copy ready for this school year!!

Even if you have a writing curriculum picked out, you can use this writing workshop resource as a reference guide and supplement.

 

3. Writing Process Book List

If you’re looking for some mentor texts for writing workshop, look no further than my writing process book list.

Beside each book in the list, I’ve included which part(s) of the writing process it focuses on. Many of these are great for Kindergarten through middle school.

 

4. Teaching Writing in the Primary Grades

A few years ago, The Measured Mom and I wrote a writing series together that was based on the writing workshop method called, Simple Writing Lessons in the Primary Grades.

This 12-week series takes you step-by-step through the writing process, as we show you how we write with our own kids at home. Sprinkled throughout are writing freebies, too! And if you have younger children, you may enjoy our 10-week series, Preschool & Kindergarten Writing Lessons.

 

5. Free Writing Resources

I have a few free writing resources on the blog. I’ve also collected more favorites on my Writing with Kids Pinterest Board.

Some of my favorite resources to create were:

• Story Writing Ideas & Organizers {brainstorming & organizing}
• Getting Kids to Write MORE {revision}
• Capital Letters Graphic Organizer {editing}
• Inside a Writer’s Notebook {all steps of the process}

• Teaching Kids to Write a Friendly Letter {friendly letter genre}
• Fairy Tale Graphic Organizer – great for comprehension & writing {brainstorming & organizing}
• Monthly Themed Writing Prompts
• Descriptive Writing Graphic Organizer {brainstorming & organizing}
• Interactive Copywork {great for younger kids}

 

As you can see, there are some great {and inexpensive} resources for teaching with the writing workshop method at home. Now, it’s time to go enjoy writing!

 

~Becky