“One doesn’t learn to write by turning in a finished paper. One learns in the labors of researching, drafting, and revising—in the doing—and learns best if one pays attention to how one is doing those labors” (Inoue, 2019)
Inoue, Asao. (2019) Labor Based Grading Contracts. Defining Labor as Three Dimensional
The Case Against Traditional Writing Workshop
The lesson begins with a teacher-led 10 minute or so mini-lesson on a target skill, after which students will progress to 20-30 minute or so session of independent writing followed by a 5 minute share/wrap up again led by the teacher. Now, let's be clear here that this is the prescription for a writing workshop lesson. However, as any educator in a writing classroom knows these ideal time frames are exactly that...idyllic.
Establishing Learning Community
Teach the heart first, the mind second
In a world where children and teenagers feel as if they are under the constant scrutiny of peers and adults alike, we cannot expect them to take risks with their reading and writing without creating a safe place in which they can do so. Educators often take for granted, or worse yet disregard, the value of the social-emotional climate in their classrooms. However, establishing a true learning community where each member's voice feels valued from the beginning will only afford our learners opportunities to think more critically and thoroughly about their reading and writing.