Writing Circle: A Powerful Structure That Supports Writers and Promotes Peer Interaction

by Sylvia Gunnery

The Writing Circle explores classroom writing groups as a powerful structure for giving students the support and guidance they need. Based on a common structure found in the writing world outside of school, these groups provide an ideal way for students to learn from each other. Under the teacher's guidance, young writers can work together on all aspects of the writing process—sharing drafts of writing, responding to each other's works-in-progress, and building confidence in themselves as writers.

The writing process is dynamic; writers move from one stage to the other and back again doing two—or three or more—things at once. Students become more energized when they tap into this dynamic process and interact with peers. Writing circles have the added bonus of giving teachers lots of opportunities to observe, advise, learn, teach, and take part in writing circle discussions.

This comprehensive resource includes everything needed to support writing circles in the classroom. Sample lessons outline specific learning goals and offer suggestions for student and teacher roles. Many of these lessons require that the teacher guide the writing circles, step-by-step, through activities, but the groups gradually gain their own momentum as students become more independent, skilled, and confident writers.

Genres: Writing

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Sylvia Gunnery is the author of many novels for teens and children. Often, the themes and characters in her books have developed from her classroom experiences with junior high and high school students. A recipient of a Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence, Sylvia has written a teachers' resource, Just Write! (Pembroke, 1998) as well as guided reading books for Curriculum Plus. She has presented at conferences, libraries, and schools across Canada and works on curriculum development and assessment initiatives with the Nova Scotia Department of Education. Sylvia lives at Crescent Beach on the South Shore of Nova Scotia.

Reviews

[Pembroke Publishers · Rating 5 out of 5]

"...what makes this book so powerful is that it tells you exactly how to organize writing circles and gives you numerous lesson plan ideas and activities that will ensure that your writing circles are not only well organized, but continue to be effective and fun. ...This book is highly recommended." - Canadian Teacher Magazine