For all of those people who do not get the English Journal, which is a great perk if you join NCTE and pay the $10.00 or so for the entire year subscription, I read a great article about the writing workshop. Many of my peers who are in AED408 this semester have been talking about the writing workshop since the beginning of the semester. Some others may know it as the "Atwell classroom." For those who are still confused, the writing workshop is basically this: students work individually and collaboratively with various writing assignments while keeping their own portfolios and involving themselves in hard-core revision and editing processes in order to create authentic work. Nancy Atwell is one of the leading teachers who use a writing workshop. At the DATE conference, one of the afternoon presentations was about the writing workshop.
In the English Journal, the article I read focused on the "literacy café." Basically, the idea is that at the end of a genre study or when students have reached a particular milestone or goal in their writing, the teacher will give students the opportunity to publish their work. The teacher sets aside a day for students to reflect on and share their work. Tables are set up with tablecloths, possibly a flower arrangement for the center, chairs around the tables, each student's work spread on one of the tables, and a refreshments table with various drinks and goodies. Other faculty (from the principal/administration to other teachers), parents, and other students can share in the event.
I truly like this idea. I am a believer in the benefits of the writing workshop, and I think the literacy café would peak the students interest and allow them to showcase their work. Plus. bringing in parents/faculty/other students allows for community involvement.
I thought the café can even be bumped up a notch by holding the event during an evening or night time, so parents can all attend and more time can be allotted. Maybe the event can become a monthly or bimonthly gathering!
Overall, what is better than student reflection, authentic work, and community involvement? Ooh, do you smell that? Aah, yes! It is the smell of social justice! Authentic learning! Individual identities! Reflection and empathy! Bloom's Taxonomy, here I come! Woo hoo!
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This idea sounds extraordinary and it is something that every school and class should become involved in. While I was reading your post, it reminded me of the science and math fairs that I used to be involved in during Middle School. You spend weeks working on a project that you know you will get to show off to your friends, parents, other teachers and students. It requires motivation, encouragement, confidence, and sometimes group work. I am not taking AED408 now but I definitly agree that writing workshops are a great thing to do. Students won't feel drained about a 5 page paper that they aren't even interested in. This will give them room to explore, develope their own ideas and sense of writing which they will get to show off one night. Fantastic Idea and thanks for sharing!!
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