Writer's Workshop

We started something new this week: Writer's Workshop. This activity consists of a specific writing prompt for all the children, so it's not free writing like during morning Journal. Today's prompt was received by many giggles, and I heard a lot of giggling during the actual writing. The kids have a list of required items on a checklist that they must have, for example, proper punctuation, correct spelling of words that have been on a Spelling List, etc.

Stanford: it is extremely important that your child be here every day and on time! Because the test materials are confidential, only school/district personnel will be allowed in the classrooms after 8:00 am(= No Journal). The test will be administered over 5 days for about an hour to an hour and a half each day, followed by a small snack :). We have been practicing our test taking skills this week: listening, following instructions, building up their reading stamina, getting used to the format, seating arrangements... I have told the kids that there will be some questions on the test that they will not know...and that it is okay!