Writer's Workshop for the Common Core: A Step-by-Step Guide

Writing instruction expert Warren Combs presents a step-by-step plan for teaching writing workshops that are aligned to the Common Core State Standards. The book is filled with practical mini-lessons, strategies, and tools for every stage of the writing process, from prewriting through publication. Scripting is provided, to show teachers how to model each strategy for students. In addition, Dr. Combs shows how teachers can use the following elements:

• The concepts Voice, Pictures, and Flow, to help students understand the essential elements of writing
• The words Invite, Model, Write, Look, and Learn, to model effective writing for students and have them learn from your example
• Revision strategies such as Jot and Blend, Combining Sentences, Writing Leads, and Writing Closes
• Peer revision using Peer-Assisted Learning Systems (PALS)
• Student self-assessment rubrics

The book also includes scoring guides and pacing guides, to help teachers implement writing workshops more easily. As Dr. Combs demonstrates, you can give workshops more structure while still making writing come alive for your students.