When your students walk through your classroom door at the beginning of the year, they're completely different kids as they leave on the last day. It takes dedication and hard work to move students from needing you every moment of the day to working independently for most of the day. Writing Workshop takes that same dedication to move students from guided to independent. Here I have the stages my students move through in my classroom to create a classroom of independent writers.
Stage 1: Launching Writing Workshop
In the second week of school, I love kicking things off by launching Writer’s Workshop with my students. We start by exploring a big question together: What does Writer’s Workshop look like? During this time, students get to learn how our writing time will be structured, what kinds of things they’ll be doing, and what my role will be as their teacher.
I set them up with my writing workshop expectations and, as they write, I observe.
During this time I have 3 goals for my students:
- write the whole time–when students finish one piece, they'll get more paper to continue writing
- find supplies on their own–know where the paper is to write the whole time
- spell independently–stretch out words and write the sounds they hear
I have 1 goal for myself:
- compliment, compliment, compliment
Celebrate every little win with your students—from holding a pencil the right way to bravely stretching out tricky words. This is also a great time to observe each writer closely, noticing their strengths and gently guiding them toward their next steps to grow as writers.
Read more about setting writing goals here
The goals I set for my young writers are intentional and meaningful. Each mini lesson is designed to give them the tools they need to write independently—and to keep them writing as they build stamina and confidence.
I use 17 mini lessons to guide my students through the first stage of Writing Workshop. Take a look at the table of contents below to get a feel for what they’ll be learning!
Launching Writers Workshop is about setting students up for success. It's about filling their writing toolbox with tools that will lead them to independence.
Read more about launching Writers Workshop here
Stage 2: Goal Setting
It always warms my heart to see how excited students get when they receive their very first writing goal! I make it feel special by placing a personalized goal inside a little clear pocket on each student's writing folder.
As students dive into Writing Workshop, I quietly take notes—watching for their strengths and the areas where they could use a little support. When it’s time to set a goal, I always start by celebrating what they’re doing well before gently sharing what I’d like them to work on next.
Below are some examples of writing goals I’ve used with my students. Most are pre-made and ready to go, but when a student needs something unique, I simply jot it down on a small piece of paper and slip it into their folder pocket.
To make this task easy, I have a few things I keep with me as I'm observing students:
- clipboard
- pen
- observation sheet
- goal cards
Having these items with me makes the whole process smooth and efficient.
These Mini Writing Goals makes goal setting exceptionally easy. Just print and assign.
Writing goals help young writers zoom in on one area to grow, making the process feel manageable and encouraging. It’s never overwhelming—it’s just the right size. And the best part? You’ll often see students asking for a new goal once their current one starts to come naturally in their writing.
You can also get the goals here!
Stage 3: Flexible Seating
One of the simple joys of Writing Workshop is giving students the freedom to leave their desks and find a cozy spot to write. Whether it’s on the carpet, in the classroom library, or at a different table, this little bit of choice makes writing time feel special—and it’s one of the reasons kids come to love it.
It's important to have expectations of flexible seating before giving students the option. Here are some ideas:
- stay in one spot
- work quietly
- clean up
My students love using flexible seating during Writing Workshop, but it’s something we use in a structured way—not every day. To keep it fair and organized, I number my students. Those with odd numbers get to use flexible seating on Mondays and Wednesdays, while even-numbered students enjoy it on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Stage 4: Small Groups
Let’s review! While you’re meeting with a small group at your teacher table, the rest of the class is independently writing. Some students might be enjoying flexible seating, while others are working at their desks. And every single student has a writing goal they’re working toward.
Once students understand the structure of Writing Workshop, it’s the perfect time to begin small group instruction. The key is having strong expectations in place so students can work independently. This helps minimize disruptions and allows you to focus on your small group.
I have one very specific rule that helps with this: when I’m working with a group, I’m not available. My students know that if I’m wearing my cat ear headband, it means “Do not disturb!” It’s a fun and clear visual that sets a respectful boundary.
We all know small group instruction matters—it’s where you can differentiate, give one-on-one attention, and really get to know your writers. But how do you decide who to invite to your teacher table?
My goal is to meet with every student for writing at least once a week. Writing is a complex skill, and each child benefits from focused time with me. That time helps me understand who they are as writers—and how I can best support them as they grow.
Stage 5: Writing Partners
Your students have made it this far—what a milestone! I typically reach this point around week 8. Could you get here sooner? Absolutely. Could it take a little longer? For sure. I personally like to take my time to make sure students truly understand and follow the expectations before we move on.
Introducing writing partners is one of those next exciting steps. Much like flexible seating, writing partners make Writing Workshop even more enjoyable (just ask the kids!). I pair students up based on personality and how well I think they’ll work together. But this part is totally up to you—you know your students best, and you can decide what pairing method works best in your classroom.
Read more about writing partnerships here.
You might be wondering what students do with their writing partners. This is what I have my students do:
- write together on designated days
- visit the teacher table on the same day
- share their writing at the end of each writing period
Write Together
We have a schedule in our classroom. Here's an example.
On the days that students are able to write with their partner, they're also able to use the flexible seating.
Teacher Table
Now that each student is paired, I call them to my teacher table with their partner. This gives me the opportunity to work with each student, but they can continue to work as partners while they are with me.
Share
At the end of our Writing Workshop time, students get to share what they worked on with their writing partner. This is a wonderful chance for them to build community as they learn about each other through their writing. Plus, they really love sharing their work!
Writing partners help build confidence, too. When students share with a trusted friend, they begin to see that their ideas and feelings have a safe place to be expressed — both the creative parts and the challenges.
Stage 6: Share Chair
Sharing in front of the whole class isn’t always easy. Some kids will jump at the chance, while others might not feel ready… yet. But as the year goes on, you’ll see their confidence grow and more willingness to share.
The Share Chair happens at the end of Writing Workshop. We create a schedule so each student gets a turn on their special day. Believe me, kids really look forward to it! And for those who aren’t quite ready, that’s okay — give them time, and hopefully they’ll want to share when they feel comfortable.
I introduce Share Chair later in the year because I want students to first feel safe in their new classroom and build strong relationships. During sharing, students learn to give compliments and helpful feedback — it’s so important they feel safe while giving and receiving these kind words.
Stage 7: Paper Choice
Once students have settled into the expectations and routines, I start offering more choices — including the materials they use.
Kids have preferences, and they love having options! Letting them choose something as simple as the type of paper they use can make a big difference. Whether it’s a page with a large drawing space or a special kind of lined paper, giving students this choice helps them feel more comfortable and engaged.
You can find lots of different paper options in this writing workshop resource. Just click here!
Teaching Writing Workshop is such a rewarding journey—not just for your students, but for you as their teacher. By thoughtfully building routines, setting meaningful goals, and creating a safe space for sharing and choice, you’re helping your young writers grow their skills and confidence every day.
Remember, every step—from launching the workshop to introducing writing partners and share time—is a chance to celebrate your students’ progress and build a vibrant classroom community. Keep trusting the process, and watch your writers shine!
