Independent Writing

Independent Writing

Independent Writing offers students additional opportunities to write.  In order to become proficient writers, students must be provided with many opportunities to write!  During Independent Writing, students continue to practice what they’ve learned during Modeled/Shared/Guided Writing.  We have two times in our day where students can independently write.  One is while I meet with readers for Guided Reading and conferring, and the other is when we have Writer’s Workshop as a class.  During Writer’s Workshop, we have a mini lesson, modeled writing (mentor text or teacher write), independent writing time, and share time.  During Writer’s Workshop, I confer with students as they work their way through the writing process.  Check out my Writer’s Workshop page for mini lesson ideas, lessons, and resources.

In addition to Writer’s Workshop, students have a chance to independently write during Daily 5.  We call this choice Work on Writing, and students visit the writing table during this time.  When there, they self-select a writing project to begin, continue, or finish.

Mini lessons to support student decisions while they work at the writing table are delivered as needed throughout the year.  September consists of MANY mini lessons that help “front-load” students with skills and knowledge needed in order to be successful, independent workers/learners.  The writing options charts that you see throughout this page are created with the class during September.  Our most recent one is pictured at the top of the page and includes the options of 1) letter, 2) story, 3) book, 4) poster, 5) card, 6) postcard, 7) list, and 8) how-to.  I pick a “theme” each year and take students through each of the possible writing activity choices using that “theme” (apples, root beer floats, etc).  We really did have a root beer float party at the end of September last year!

The materials are stored at our Work on Writing table.  It’s a cart that has several Sterilite drawers on each side.  The 12×12 drawers are my students’ “Not Yet Done” drawers.  They store projects that are in progress.  We don’t have desks, but rather utilize the concept of Flexible Seating.  The 9×12 drawers on the right-hand side store a variety of different types of papers.  The top of the cart stores a plethora of writing tools and embellishments.  I love shopping for these!

 Download Drawer Labels

When at the writing table, students often choose to finish a writing piece they’ve started during our Writer’s Workshop block.  Other times they write cards or letters to classmates and family members.  Paper, writing tools, and art media/tools are all available for students to use creatively.  Our writing center is a very popular place!