Teaching writing… in the world of teaching… is “controversial.” So few teachers really feel they know how to teach “writing” well. Everyone feels they teach “grammar” just fine, but writing… This feeling of uncertainty creates defensiveness and high emotions.

But even in the world of teaching writing… just the mention of “Writer’s Workshop” will get people all worked up. I know of one teacher’s forum on the internet in which a VERY heated debate over Writer’s Workshop has lasted for years. Tempers rise, accusations fly… and then finally someone says, “What exactly is Writer’s Workshop? I don’t get it…”

Writer’s Workshop: A History of Controversy

Let’s face it, “Writer’s Workshop” was born in the adult world and has been transferred over to the world of elementary and middle school writing. “Writer’s Workshop” in the adult world can bring up vivid images of hippy-communes and groups of beatniks writing in Greenwich Village. (I’ve seen some classrooms that use Writer’s Workshop which aren’t much different!)

Writer’s Workshop Works… But Only for Some Kinds of Teachers

Some teachers swear by Writer’s Workshop… others swear AT Writer’s Workshop. I think it’s good to understand a few different “kinds of teachers” as it will help you to decide if Writer’s Workshop is for you. I hate to categorize teachers, but when it comes to Writer’s Workshop, some will have great success and others will completely flop.

“To thine own self be true!”
                                             William Shakespeare

Two out of these four kinds of teachers will have success with Writer’s Workshop.  Which two do you think it will be?

1. flowery teachers
2. brass-tacks teachers
3. flowery talking teachers who are really brass-tacks teachers
4. brass-tacks talking teachers who are really flowery teachers

Answer: Teachers number 3 and 4.

Here’s Why:
1. flowery teachers – School and teaching writing is not about running a hippy commune where “it’s all good.” We are teaching students to be successful at school. Sooner or later being successful at school involves doing things correctly. With a flowery teacher who is not keeping an eye on results, too many kids will slip through the cracks and won’t MASTER the skills needed to be successful students.
2. brass-tacks teachers – This teacher wants results. They want results that can be measured and measured now. Writer’s Workshop will be an exercise in frustration for them. They will not have the patience to watch “progress over time” and “developing the love for writing” is not something they consider to be measurable.
3. flowery talking teachers who are really brass-tacks teachers - These teachers will have the greatest success with Writer’s Workshop. They buy into the philosophy and are firecrackers when it comes to monitoring what students are doing.
4. brass-tacks talking teachers who are really flowery teachers – These teachers will have success because at their heart they want kids to enjoy school. Writer’s Workshop will be a fun change of pace for their students. They will run a tight-ship during Writer’s Workshop and they will get results. It will be effective… but it will come a little bit at the expense of students developing a true love for the art of writing.

Be sure to check back for:
1. What Exactly is Writer’s Workshop? 
2. Tips, Tricks, Pros and Cons of Using Writer’s Workshop in the Classroom