Sixth Grade Writing Portfolio

Hi all!

I'm thinking and planning how my sixth grade students will be detailing and enriching their writing for their writing portfolios this year. This is the first year I have grouped students for writing in a couple of different ways (developmentally, and with a mix of levels). The idea is to help students feel teacher support as they work at teasing out their thoughts on paper - much like, as I tell them, brushing out your dog's fur after a much needed bath!

Many students have difficulty maintaining motivation and focus (often those with low skills - but, not always) when left on their own to formulate, go with an idea, or revise one which has already been started. It is important to know that my students have multiple opportunities to start writing, keep it in their writing folder, and choose whether or not to take it to the next level. Some pieces may not ever come to fruition. Writing takes work, especially different types of writing - not just writing stories.

So, my journey this month will be to organize a more structured focus (when students are at different places in their writing) during their small group instruction part of the day. In the past, I have allowed them time to write silently at my reading table as I helped a student revise and edit - they appreciated the leadership. Though, I feel they can benefit from short mini-lessons during this time that is interactive.

My original goal was to increase student writing production through small group work. Now, I want to take it a step further with specific standards to address and investigate what a small group does and how they do it.

Thank you for taking your time reading my posting! Suggestions and questions are valued!