Writers' Workshop--Successes and Questions

I think writers' workshop is almost an essential component to a Creative Writing class, but I've struggled with effective implementation. I've found that using Google Docs comments and chat function has been useful, especially when paired with badges for commenters, which I created on Schoology (Edmodo has a similar function, and there a few more options I think, like openbadges.org, that allow you to make and assign badges too).

Here's a little reflection on what I did with technology to make things go at least a little smoother:

Sra. Spanglish Rides Again: Rowdy Writers' Workshop (Now with Badges!): Writers' Workshop has gone through several incarnations this semester of Creative Writing alone. We started off in a circle with ha...

I really wish workshop could be something we did with the whole class regularly, but I need some tips on how to effectively manage it. The norms and protocols that we established as a class did help, but they did not keep a group of freshmen on task. I have some thoughts on what might help, and I'd like some input from more experienced Creative Writing profesores.

• Should I have daily workshops instead of limiting them to Mondays and Fridays?
• Should I limit the workshopped pieces to one per session rather than 2 or 3 in a row?
• Should I put a page limit on how long a workshopped piece can be?
• Should I have designated roles for each person in the class?
• Should I restructure as a fish bowl exercise with half of the class observing while half interact?
• Should there be some kind of assignment or form for commenters attached to the workshop session?
• Should I cut back the number of workshops each author gets to 1 per grading period or even 2 per semester, rather than 2 per grading period?

Any other suggestions you have for how to run a successful writers' workshop would be much appreciated!

NaNo Winners!

I am so proud of my students, my club members, my colleague, and myself. November is over; we have written a grand total of 328,624 words! Six of our thirteen aspiring novelists won by completing their personal word count goals. The next step is to work on revision and editing so we can get our free copies of our novels printed and then possibly look into publication!

I hope some of you will consider doing NaNoWriMo with your creative writing students in the future. It has been an incredible adventure and I am already looking forward to next year!

Jesse Birnstihl
Ashbrook High School