In the beginning of the year I get ready to teach writing by setting up my fifth grade program to include a daily writer's workshop period. During this period the children are expected to work through the steps of the writing process: brainstorming ideas, writing a first draft, editing, revising, final draft, and publication. However, they do not do this without much guidance, which includes teacher modeling of how to write, sharing previously published student work, and holding mini lessons on the writers craft. It ends up being an ongoing process out of which grows happy and enlightened young authors.
In the first weeks of school, I begin my explanation of the writers workshop period by introducing a great resource distributed by Scholastic and written by Loreen Leedy: Look at my Book. It is a read aloud, but an intensely illustrated resource that children can refer to at any time during their writing periods.
Look at my Book walks children in a friendly way through the writing process and offers suggestions and explanations for completing each part of the process. Starting with the page titled "ideas" children are given tips on how to come up with things to write about. Leedy suggests reading, asking questions, keeping a journal, or simply by watching the world around you. Further along she explains the concept of brainstorming and gives ideas on how to brainstorm including making webs and drawing pictures. Ms. Leedy highlights various genres in which the young author might want to write, and explains where one might look to research information for a nonfiction project (CD's, newspapers, almanacs...). She then provides illustrated examples to highlight concepts for characters, offers ideas for story setting, and planning a story. She also discusses rough drafts and sketches, and how one might devise a title for a specific work. Revision and editing is written about with nice illustrations, and ideas for turning an author's work into a published gem are given with much illustrated detail.
What I like about Look at my Book is that it's easy for children to use as a resource and also makes for a good read aloud to introduce the whole idea of what a writer's workshop period entails. In just over thirty pages Ms. Leedy gives literally hundreds of examples and ideas about how a young author may bring a project from its earliest stages into the final product. I know from experience that after reading this particular book with the kids they want nothing more than to rush back to their seats and begin writing.
For elementary teachers hoping to launch an exciting writer's workshop, take a look at Look at my Book.