Inside: 1. How to implement writers workshop into your Spanish classroom
2. How to create student authors in your classroom through writers workshop time
Hola everybody!
If you follow me on Instagram (@maestraehlert) you saw that I was a co-host for the 10 day CI (comprehensible input) challenge! One of the days of our challenge explored writing. I had many people reach out wanting more of an explanation of how I use writers workshop time in my classroom throughout the school year to create a published book in Spanish. Let's dive in!
Firstly, you need to decide what level you want to complete this activity in. Depending on the students, I complete this activity with either 7th or 8th graders who have already had one to two years of Spanish instruction. That way, I can start the activity right away at the beginning of the school year. It could easily be done with your Spanish 1 students during the second half of the school year!
At the beginning of the school year I set the routine of having writers workshop time the first 10-15 minutes of every class period. I make groups of 2 or 3 depending on my class size. I like to group students based on ability. As the students are working, I am able to have mini conferences while they are working to assist in their writing. The students know right when they walk in to get out their writers workshop materials.
What materials do I use?
1. I have students select their story characters from one of Craig Klein's posters.
I have students select at least two characters for their short story. This poster can be found here.
2. Once students select their story characters, they start to brainstorm the plot of their story. I have students use this high frequency poster from Craig Klein to help aid their thinking. You can find this poster here.
3. As they are writing, students use the following poster by Alessandra Portillo to include transition words in their writing. You can find this poster here.
So, what is the process of our writers workshop time? Throughout the school year students are in any of the following stages:
1. Brainstorming/mind mapping
2. Drafting
3. Self-editing
4. Peer editing
5. Illustrating
Different pairs of students are always in different stages throughout the school year. They work at their own pace! If students get done early and I have given them the okay, they then use writers workshop time as FVR (free voluntary reading) time.
How do I get the students' work published?
I first compile all of the work together. I then follow the steps on the PaperMate Student Publishing Website! It is very simple & easy to use. As the classroom teacher, you get a free copy of your book. I add it to my FVR library so that all students can enjoy it! I also love that all parents have an option to order a copy of the published book if they choose.
Once all done with the process, the PaperMate Publishing website also has many fun ideas to celebrate your student authors. I give each of my students the certificate down below to honor their time & work!
Have any questions about this post? Use the chat feature on this post or send me a DM on my Instagram!
Always,
Maestra Ehlert
