Literature Review
Reluctant writers are easy to spot. By simple, quick observations, teachers can note students who enjoy writing and students who are struggling. Interest in writing can be observed merely through student behavior. Looking at student focus, wondering eyes, and posture are relevant considerations relating to student engagement (Cruz, 2008). During writer’s workshop, the goal is to not only focus on improving the current writing students are producing, but also teach students to become better overall writer’s, transferring skills learned to future writing (Anderson, 2000). The components of writer’s workshop include an introduction, mini-lesson, independent writing time, conferencing, and author share out. The complete design of writer’s workshop is fundamental to the success of student writing; however, teacher-student writing conferences is where magic happens. Lucy Calkins refers to conferences as “the heart of teaching writing” (Jasmine, Weiner, 2007, p. 132).