Our Balanced Literacy Model consists of several components including Reader's Workshop, Writer's Workshop, phonics, shared reading, and read aloud.  During our Writer's Workshop students participate in a mini lesson, study mentor texts, write independently, as well as confer and share with peers.  Students participate in one-on-one conferences and strategy groups to support individual needs.  Our mini lessons are derived from the Reading Units of Study, a product of the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project, Columbia University.

The units focus on:

• Narrative, Persuasive/opinion/argument writing, Informational and functional/procedural writing
• Explicit instruction with ample opportunity for practice
• Writing for real purposes for an audience of readers
• Studying what other authors have done and trying it
• Opportunities to cycle through writing process: rehearsing, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing