The Workshop :: Part Une

Here's my current Grade 12 set up for each unit:

Week 1

• Monday - Thursday
• Introduce new unit (our first unit was titled Expressing Yourself);
• Critically read (i.e. annotate) texts from authors who exemplify certain writing patterns of which my students need/want to learn;
• Discuss said texts;
• Participate in Exploratory writing activities
• Friday :: 
• Introduce Writing Prompt;
• more Exploratory Writing (freewrites, mind maps are just a couple writings we do).

Week 2

• Monday :: Rough Draft due // workshop
• Tuesday :: I divide the class into two sections: 1) Section 1, Mini-writing lesson; 2) Section 2, writing workshop
• Wednesday :: Mid-Process Draft due & more workshop
• Thursday :: Mini writing lesson & more workshop
• Friday :: Final Draft due

Sounds normal, right? Yes, but what makes my class different is this added element: The Essies. It's my version of the Oscars, but for writers. My students submit their final drafts via Google Docs and I create an anthology for the unit, printing and xeroxing enough copies for each student in each class. They spend the weekend reading each other's pieces, nominate two writers who best exemplify each Essie category, and submit their nominations on Tuesday. We vote for the winners on Wednesday, then spend part of Thursday celebrating their success.

So far, so good. Many of my kids can't wait to get their hands on the anthologies and I my third period class changed their writing style for the second unit because they found their first one boring to read. This particular class spent more time utilizing creative writing within their second piece, much to my happiness. There's so much to share but I'll end it here for now.