A Guide to the Common Core Writing Workshop Intermediate Grades

by Lucy Calkins

Genres: Professional Development, Teaching

Paperback

Reviews

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lucy Calkins is the go-to writing expert in education. Yet, this book, the first in the series, was thrust upon us as the school year began without any instruction. Then we learned our new curriculum was based upon the Calkins series. There was just too much to do to get through this and learn an entirely new ELA curriculum at the same time. Everyone bailed.

But I want to know what is expected so here I am before we even finish the year vowing to make it through all this.

This is an overview to writer's workshop, the Calkins way. Interestingly, I don't think it's written well. I also think the topics of discussion were so broad and many were unrelated to what came before. It is an overview so I get the broadness.

I will say that I am moderately enthusiastic to move forward. We shall see.

One thing that absolutely grates with this series is the format of the book. The wide pages present text enough for two pages side-by-side. My middle-aged eyes do not handle this well at all. I read very few physical books these days, but this wasn't made available to me in electronic version.

The takeaway from this book was from page 53. [quote]during a workshop, your whole class instruction aims to add to students' repertoire, teaching them how to do strategies that they will then draw on over and over as they write.[/quote]

[Ted · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything you need to know to facilitate a successful writing workshop in your middle school classroom. Typical Lucy, she shows you how to be intentional in your writing instruction and give your students multiple opportunities to become better writers.

[Mandie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The concept of a writer’s workshop is great, but Calkins isn’t the only person in the world to successfully use the workshop model (despite her belief she is). This book feels like it was written for elementary grades and to make more money by selling a middle school program, they swapped out some words. While she spends pages explaining how to set up one’s carpet time (the average thirteen year old doesn’t want to sit on the floor at his or her teacher’s feet. That’s what six year olds do.), she doesn’t explain how to foster and develop the workshop partnerships in order to have successful peer revision and independent writing. Does this just magically occur?

Our district dumped this program on us without asking what we currently do or asking our opinions. This was the first book of many we were told to read to prepare to teach these units. For a woman who claims to be the expert in teaching writing, she doesn’t write well. Perhaps if she valued word choice (not on her rubrics), she would realize that using “repertoire” five times in one paragraph isn’t enjoyable for the reader and creates a pretentious tone.

Overall, this book annoys me, is removed from the realities of teaching middle school (who has time or energy to read 100+ drafts every single night?), and doesn’t provide the professional development that teachers actually need to successfully implement a workshop model.

[Precious · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the piece on student booklets.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read "A Guide to the Common Core Writing Workshop - Middle School Grades" by Lucy Calkins. (The Intermediate Grade version should be one and the same.)

Our district is adopting this curriculum for the upcoming 2016/2017 school year. I was able to attend the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project's Writing Institute last month. This book helped solidify what we were taught and exposed to. My next book in this series will be "Writing Pathways."

[Leslie Mcnenly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually read the primary grades version but couldn't find it sited. Great book!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where was this book when I was in college? Amazing and explicit instructions on how to become an effective writing teacher!

[Ursula · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great refresher for those that want to fine tune their workshop but also makes for a great introduction. The right amount of process and inspiration.