Mrs. Farmer's First Grade Class

First Grade Writing

Mini Lesson

Writer's Workshop always begins with a mini-lesson. These are short lessons in which I will address student needs. Mini-lessons may consist of teaching the writing process, the six traits, grammar, and/or the genres of writing. They are conducted as a whole group.

Independent Writing

After the mini-lesson, students have independent writing time. During this time students are working in their Writer's Notebook. Students should be applying the strategies and skills taught during mini-lessons and utilizing thinking maps to help organize their thin I will be both monitoring students and conferring with students who are at that stage in the writing process.

The Writing Process

Students will complete their prewriting and first drafts in their
notebook. Students will then choose a piece to take through the entire writing process.
They will revise their writing.
Next, they will edit their writing.
They will then sign up for a conference with me.
After conferring with me, they can publish their writing.

Author's Chair

After independent writing time, students will have a chance to share what they have been working on. Each day, a few students will share a piece of writing in the author's chair with the rest of the class!

Learn more about Writer's Workshop in First Grade

Academic Integration

Writing is also integrated through the day in all academic areas. Every day, we will start with morning journals. Our class will use writing to create projects, and reports in science and social studies. Students will regularly utilize scientific notebooks too! We will use writing to show our thinking in math and reading. We will also use our writing skills in homework projects and challenges.

Writing is an important part of our daily lives and therefore should be encouraged throughout the school day in all areas of study.

Write From the Begining

Write From the Beginning is a developmental writing program that helps students organize their thinking and writing skills, while deepening their critical thinking skills. Students utilize thinking maps to help guide them through the writing process. We not only use thinking maps in our writing, but throughout our day. We will focus on different genres as well as the utilizing the Thinking Maps pictured below.

Common Core State Standards and Questions	Thinking Process	Thinking Map
Understand and use general (tier 2) and domain-specific (tier 3) academic vocabulary. What does __________________ mean? Can you define __________________ ?	Brainstorming or defining in Context	Circle Map
Use relevant descriptive details and sensory language in reading and writing. How would you describe __________________? What are the characteristics of __________________?	Describing	Bubble Map
Compare and contrast important points in two texts or points of view; draw comparative inferences about two populations. What are the similarities and differences between ____________ and ____________? How are ____________ and ____________ alike/different?	Comparing and Contrasting	Double Bubble Map
Determine the main idea(s) of text(s) and key supporting details in complex texts. What is the main idea of __________________? What are the supporting details?	Classifying	Tree Map
Use common affixes to determine and clarify the meaning of unfamiliar terms. Analyze the structural parts of __________________ to suggest improvements.	Part-to-Whole	Brace Map
Understand the steps and patterns in complex processes in order to answer questions and solve problems. What ordered steps would you follow to solve ______________? How would you demonstrate the steps for solving __________________?	Sequencing	Flow Map
Evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text; determine the impact the author’s purpose and point of view have on a text. What is the impact of the author’s point of view on __________________? How would you evaluate the argument and claims in __________________?	Cause and Effect	Multi-Flow Map
Analyze the relationship between a primary and secondary source; analyze patterns and relationships. What is the relationship between ____________ and ____________? How would you analyze the relationships and analogies in __________________?	Seeing Relationships	Bridge Map