When Writing Workshop Isn't Working: Answers to Ten Tough Questions, Grades 2-5

Writing is hard work. Teaching it can be even harder. As most teachers  know, writer's workshop doesn't always go as planned, and many find  there are obstacles that they consistently struggle with. In his role as  a literacy coordinator and teacher, Mark Overmeyer has heard the same  issues raised again and again by both new and experienced colleagues.  When Writing Workshop Isn't Working provides practical advice to  overcome these common problems and get your writing workshop back on  track. Acknowledging the process-based nature of the writing workshop,  Mark does not offer formulaic, program-based, one-size-fits–all answers;  rather, he presents multiple suggestions based on what works in real  classrooms.

The ten key questions this book addresses include:

• How do I help students who don't know what to write about?
• How do I help students develop stronger vocabulary and word choice?
• How do I prepare my students for standardized tests without compromising my writing program?
• How should I assess student writing?
• How can I help my students use revision effectively?

This book is a handy reference tool for answering specific questions as  they pop up during the year. Mark uses student examples throughout to  help teachers envision these solutions in their own classes, and he  includes an array of classroom-tested ideas for helping primary and  intermediate English language learners.

There may not be any easy  answers to the complexities of writer's workshop, but by identifying and  providing advice on the most common stumbling blocks one encounters,  When Writing Workshop Isn't Working provides a solid groundwork—freeing  up time and creativity for teachers to address the specific needs of  their students.