Intentional Teaching in a Writers’ Workshop for Grades K-2
Use the writers’ workshop to develop young children’s knowledge and enthusiasm for writing.
In this 8-week online graduate course for K-2 teachers, learn how writers’ workshops can develop student writing fluency.
- Classroom Teachers, Interventionists, & Specialists
- Literacy Coaches & Teacher Leaders
- Course Number: EEDUC 6176.80
- Fees are subject to change
In writers’ workshops, students learn the writer’s craft and how to use writing for effective learning and communication. They explore genres, strategies, and skills that allow them to discover the power of the written word. As a teacher in a writers’ workshop, you guide students through interactive and independent writing, minilessons, and topic investigations.
Build an understanding of the theory and practice of how young children develop as writers, and how children’s writing changes over time, using The Fountas and Pinnell Literacy Continuum and other resources. You’ll engage in “teachers as writers” to experience the writing process and to develop your knowledge of genre, craft, and conventions.
Topics include assessing and planning for instruction in small-group teaching; individual conferring; whole-group minilessons and share for all students, including English learners.
Required Texts
You are responsible for purchasing/having access to the following professional texts for this course:
- Clay, M.M. (2010). How very young children explore writing. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
- Horn, M. & Giacobbe, M.E. (2007). Talking, drawing, writing: Lessons for our youngest writers. Portland, ME: Stenhouse.
- Laman, T.T. (2013). From ideas to words: Writing strategies for English language learners. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
- McCarrier, A., Pinnell, G.S. & Fountas, I.C. (2000). Interactive writing: How language & literacy come together, K-2. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann. Chapters 5-8, and 13.
- Fountas, I.C. & Pinnell, G.S. (2016). The Fountas and Pinnell literacy continuum, expanded edition: A tool for assessment, planning, and teaching, preK-8. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
- Ray, K.W. & Glover, M. (2011). Sit down and teach up. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann. NOTE: This e-book is available as a pdf for use on a Mac or PC. If you have an IPad, it is recommended that you purchase it as an app from the ITunes store for $14.99. There are 16 writing conference videos included so it is a wonderful resource.
- Ray, K.W. & Cleaveland, L.B. (2004). About the authors: Writing workshop with our youngest writers. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
This option must be taken for 3 graduate credits. Take the course individually or as an elective in our 18-credit Online Graduate Certificate in Developing Literacy Expertise Through Responsive Classroom Teaching.
Courtney Varner, Literacy Trainer
Courtney has a B.S. in Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and earned a Masters in ElementaryEducation from George Mason University. Her educational career started in Fairfax County Public Schools, VA where she had 8 years of experience working in Title 1 schools. She taught in 1st and 2nd grade and served as a Reading Recovery teacher. In addition, Courtney was a Literacy Collaborative trained literacy coach for the intermediate grades.
Interested in professional learning at your school or district? Schedule a meeting with one of our faculty trainers.
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