Lucy Calkins Units of Study Component Guide

CONTENT

Architecture of a Mini Lesson (10-15 minutes)

Connection (today’s lesson within the context of previous work, very brief)

Teaching Point ( stating clearly and exactly what is being taught today, written on chart paper)

Teaching:• through demonstration or• give an example or• guided practice

Active Engagement (using a shared text to practice whole class the teaching strategy)

Link (restate the teaching point)

Independent Writing (30-40 minutes)

Conferences• individual or table

Guided Writing (small group with similar needs) Mid-workshop teaching point (dependent on teacher

observation during writing, needs-based)

Share (5-7 minutes)

Make reference back to teaching point; writers share their work.

MANAGEMENT

Get materials from the writing centers (places where

writing supplies are stored and distributed)

Gather at a common area, e.g. the rug, if applicable to

room set-up

Charts and shared texts to serve as references

Word wall

an enlarged list of children’s names

• charts to support children’s writing

Use the term, Writers Workshop

Refer to students as writers

At the start of mini lesson, the teacher is

talking/demonstrating while the writers are actively

listening

During active engagement, writers turn to a partner and

try something aloud

At the end of mini lesson, writers know where to go for

their writing spot

During independent writing, writers work on a new piece

or ongoing piece or involved in a small group strategies

lesson

Everyone writes during entire block

Teacher is conferring and keeping notes

Models of share:

• whole class (to common area)

• partnership

Work is put away to designated places