Inside This Week’s Episode: Writing conferences no longer have to be a confusing, overwhelming process for elementary teachers. Take the simple goal-driven approach that gives your writing conferences the clear structure and purpose that actually improves your students’ writing.

Writing Conferences used to be a nightmare in my classroom

They usually involved me and my trusty red pen going through a students’ writing, marking it up— adding suggestion, highlighting misspelled words or missing punctuation. And, after about 5 minutes or so, I'd had the paper back to students and move on to the next student.

There was no talk of writing strategies, no mention of writing goals, no modeling methods to improve student writing.

Nope - just a bunch of red lines (and likely frustrated, disengaged students).

Yikes, I cringe at those early days when I thought that writing conferences were all about me.

The thing about teaching (and really anything in life) is that you don’t do better until you know better.

Now, I know better.

Now I know that individual student writing goals are what should drive the writing conference. Now I know that I should let the student take the lead before interjecting my own thoughts about his or her writing. Now I know that a student can really only work on one or two writing strategies and goals at a time —any more than that and they shut down.

The things that I know now are the things that shaped my entire approach to conducting a writing conference with students. And you know what? Meeting with my students to talk about their writing became SOOO much easier when I simplified my plan of action.

If you’ve been getting a little too much mileage out of your red pen these days, too, then this episode has landed in your ear buds at just the right time.

LEarn how to take the Simple, Goal-Driven Approach to Writing conferences

Here’s a Snapshot:

• [01:33] Many teachers often make the mistake that the writing conference is all about them. We march into the conference with our red pen and mark up student papers telling them what to fix and how to fix it. However, this often leaves students feeling defeated. Let me share with you a better way that puts the focus (and responsibility) back on the student.

• [02:46] Start with a schedule. A conference schedule keeps both you and the students accountable for your time together. I’ll share my simple set up that will make planning and prepping for each conference a breeze.

• [07:20] Be sure to establish routines and procedures that go along with your writing conference time. Your students should know exactly how the time is structure as well as the behavioral expectations that come with conferences. I’ve got a few bonus tips, too to help you make the most of your writing conference time.

• [10:17] Conferences should goal-driven. Let your students’ writing goals be the driving force for your conference and keep them at the forefront of your conference time. I’ve got the tools you need to outline these goals and help your students choose the perfect goal for them.

• [14:01] As you wrap up your conference time with each student, be sure to give them a call to action - something that they should be working on and be ready to present when you meet again. This will help keep your students accountable and will help you to see the progress that they are making over time!

Links & Resources Mentioned in the Episode

EPISODE 27: Developing a Strong Classroom Management System

EPISODE 30: How to Launch Writer's Workshop in the Upper Elementary Classroom

EPISODE 62: Why You Need a "Share Chair" In Your Reading and Writing Workshop

POST: Back to School Series: Launching Writer's Workshop

RESOURCES:

• Student Writer’s Notebook (Printable & Digital)

• Getting Started With Writers Workshop Unit

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Transcript