Processing+Atwell's+In+the+Middle


 * IN THE MIDDLE GROUP (Middle Grades focus) **
 * Chapters 1, 3, & 10 from Atwell (1998) **


 * Middle School Group:** //Kelly, Lakeisha, & Hannah//


 * Scenario:** Your principal has sent you to a professional development workshop on Atwell’s Writing Workshop, because it was featured in the news not long ago, and writing scores are low at your middle school. As a result, she wants your faculty to implement this strategy with students to bring a greater focus to writing in the curriculum.


 * Your responsibility:** Now your principal has charged you with the responsibility of presenting a brief overview/introduction to Atwell’s Writing Workshop in a wiki format to selected members of your middle school faculty! “Hit the highlights and give them takeaways!” she says. Given this charge, please address the following questions:


 * Where does Atwell suggest we start with regard to teaching writing to middle grades students?
 * Ask students their interests - what are they interesting in writing about.
 * Knowing that every piece of writing is not going to go through the whole "process"
 * Don't tell writers what they should do or what should be in their writing.


 * What is the writing process associated with Atwell’s writing workshop model?
 * Communication, brainstorming, conferences, mini-lessons, celebrations


 * What are some of the key features of Atwell’s approach to teaching writing and implementing writing workshop?
 * Students should be given choice when they write. (Not always providing a prompt).
 * Playing off the strengths of adolescence, understanding where they are emotionally, their perspectives
 * Not simply telling them "how" to write, but showing them by modeling how you as a teacher write. Demonstrating the steps, showing your own work as a teacher.


 * What other important information do you think your faculty needs to know as an introduction to Atwell’s approach and strategy(-ies)?
 * It's important to understand that she wasn't teaching in a normal school setting. She had more freedom for designing her curriculum, (but less direction), less support in terms textbooks (technology).
 * She believes that a teacher should be a student in the classroom as well. In order for that to happen teachers need to be open to new ideas.