Best Practices for Writing

Writing may be an area where it is not even taught at schools. From class discussions this week,  I realized how writing is taught so differently from school to school or not even taught at all. According to recent research, writing should be taught during a Writer's Workshop, across the curriculum, and differentiated. I have recently learned this and have implemented a Writer's Workshop in my classroom pulling from multiply sources. Our school does not have a set or scripted program; however, we do have the 6+1 Traits of Writing program. This program is taught using mini lessons of certain aspects of writing such as conventions, word choice, and fluency. We use picture books and authentic text to give students examples of what good writing looks like. Our kit was ordered right from Scholastic and is something to look into for your own school!
http://teacher.scholastic.com/products/ruth-culham-writing-program/#.VThj9haRnww

I am going to take what I learned from this week and apply it to my workshop. There were five best practices that stuck out in my head.
1. teacher modeling/mini lessons
2. planning/prewriting
3. constructing a draft
4. revising and editing
5. publishing and sharing

These 5 strategies can each be used during my writing process. The other important thing to remember is that you don't always have to have your students create this glorious end product. It's okay if their writing is a short journal prompt focusing on "wow words" or conventions. If we start our students young with these best practices and correct way of implementing writing, then we can create some really great writers!