WRITER'S WORKSHOP MINI LESSONS

Establishing a Workshop Routine: We Begin Writer's Workshop at the Carpet

Lesson 1: We Begin Writer's Workshop at our Share Carpet

Read a book about carpets, a magic carpet ride, or some other type of story involving rugs/carpets.

After reading the book, draw students' attention to the classroom carpet.

Ask them simple questions about it:  

• what color is it 

• how big is it

• does it bite - - it's OK to be funny!  :-)

• how does it feel

• why do we have a carpet

Tell students that there are many reasons why we have a classroom carpet:

• Helps us know where to sit when we meet as a group

• Helps keep our clothes clean so we don't have to sit on the floor

• Looks nice in our classroom

• etc

Tell students that everyday they will have Writer's Workshop, and that we will be using our carpet.

Tell students that at the start of Writer's Workshop, the class will always meet at the Share Carpet.

Share that during this time, our carpet will help us to know where to sit.

Share that our carpet will helps us to remember that we are  going to have special conversation.

Share that these conversations are a time to share our ideas and learn new things.

Say, "But you know what, class?  We need to talk about how to sit at the carpet - - how to use the carpet."

• should we sit on our friends

• should we stand on our heads

• should we sit and swing our arms around

• should we put our feet in the air - - in our ears - - mouths

• AGAIN - - It's OK to be Funny!!!

Ask for suggestions from the children about how the class should/can sit at the carpet.

Decide on the expectations/rules and then practice them.

Take pictures of students sitting correctly at the carpet.

Create an ANCHOR CHART for "Writer's Workshop" routine, and add information and a picture about the day's lesson.

Resources:

Magic Carpet by Pat Brisson

 What Lives Under the Carpet by John Woodward

 The Goat in the Rug by Charles Blood

Emma's Rug by Allan Say

The Front Hall Carpet by Nicholas Heller

Rugs Have Naps, But Never Take Them by Charles Klasky