Welcome to Growing Writers! I chose the blog title for several reasons. As teachers, we nurture the writing growth of our students. As students, we learn more about the writing process and consequently grow as teachers. And as fellow writers . . . well, hopefully we never stop growing.

I’ve had the opportunity to talk writing with so many fabulous teachers and librarians across the country and have longed for a way to continue the conversation. Perhaps this is the place — a place for us to examine both teaching practice and writing process, and to learn from one another.

So where to begin? I’d like to start with an examination of writer’s workshop and how it differs from a more traditional writing approach. And because writer’s workshop depends upon our students in working as independent writers, why don’t we look at the structures of writer’s workshop that help establish independence?

Next post: Creating a writing center (a place to offer materials as opposed to a learning center).