Raising The Standards For Advanced Writers: Workshop
Raising The Standards For Advanced Writers is student-centered learning focused on meeting the special needs of advanced and gifted writers in the classroom. It was developed for teachers and advanced writers in classrooms, in all content areas, at all school levels, and adaptable to a variety of service delivery models for gifted learners. See sample pages. A manual and CD are included -- ordering information.
The Rights of a Writer
Advanced writers discover insight and new thoughts through writing. To prompt this discovery, advanced writers vary the strands for their writing along with workshop peers, and refine writing for the portfolio in any one or more strands. Advanced writers go beyond schoolhouse writing to find personal meaning and discovery.
The Decisions of a Writer
Advanced writers plan their writing to have a desired effect on the reader. They plan with structure, thesis, role, audience, purpose, and personal signature in mind to achieve this effect. Planning and revising are hallmarks of advanced writers.
| S — What structure will I use for my writing? T — What is my thesis? R — What is my role? A — Who is my audience? P — What is my purpose? S — What is the personal signature will I use? |
The Conversation of a Writer
Advanced writers use group skills to gain confidence in their writing and peer interactions. The workshop protocol requires time management, equal access to feedback, and respect for differences in the writing and writers in the group.
- Ground-rules
- High-Level Responses
- Feedback: Giving and Receiving
- Active Listening Skills
- Acceptance of All Group Members
- Conflict Resolution
- Positive and Negative Group Roles
The Growth of a Writer
Advanced writers want to improve their writing. They are motivated not by grades, but by a group of writers who understand, support and encourage risk-taking in the writing process. Advanced writers strive for internal satisfaction in their writing.
- Personal Goal-Setting
- Extended, Integrated, and Rigorous Rubrics
- Self-Monitoring
- Writing Attitudes and Self-Efficacy
- Test Scores
- Audience Response
- Teacher Observation
- Peer Feedback
From Teachers
“I learned my own strengths and weaknesses as a writer.”
“I liked attending a development that is not only focused on gifted
learners, but also geared for gifted adults. Many trainings find us waiting
60% of the time just like the kids.”
“The six strands opened up for me a plethora of ideas for integrated,
meaningful writing activities.”
“I did not believe I could accommodate a gifted writer in my classroom.”
“Kids loved it; they engaged, focused, and laughed.”
From Students
“I have to really think and organize my writing for the workshop.”
“Making the workshop successful means you really have to manage your
own time.”
“Workshop is a good way to learn inspirational things.”
“I feel more confident sharing my writing with my classmates and I
learned I could be more optimistic and excited about writing .”
“The writers workshop is perfect for me because I love working with
my peers.”