Making Words is the portion of the day devoted to teaching the rules for spelling words correctly. I am really trying to move away from the common practice of memorization, instead, I am teaching children the rules for spelling words correctly.
The Mini Lesson is the portion of Writer's Workshop where attenion is given to teaching or refining the skills of writing.
Children are encouraged to spell words without the help of the teacher. When spelling an unknown word, children are encouraged to say the word several times. Children are also encouraged to say the word slowly. Children should listen for the sounds heard within the word and then write those sounds. Rules of spelling words correctly are presented during the Making Words portion of the day.
Small Moment Writing are stories written by children from true events that have happened personally in their lives. Children begin by telling the story from the beginning to the middle to the end through pictures. Once the story has been told through pictures the children then go back and add the text.
Prompt Writing is when children are given a specific event or topic to write about. Children usually begin these stories by creating an idea web to help create the focus of the story for the beginning, middle, and end. These stories are often written without pictures.
Time is also dedicated towards one on one conferencing between the student and teacher. The teacher conferences with the child to refine the skills of writing.