Writing folders are a very useful tool. It took me a long time to figure out exactly how to make them work best for me and my students. I observed a teacher at Apple Glenn Elementary School in Arkansas and loved how she put hers together. I used a similar folder set up but tweaked some things to make them work for me. Take a peek!
My First Grade Writing Folders are made by taking a two-pocket folder and a 3-pronged folder and stapling and taping them together. This gives a place for each stage of the writing process-- my students PHYSICALLY move their work through the process!
In the Prewriting section, there are some cute "What can I write about?" pictures/ideas, courtesy of Core Academy!
The Rainbow Editing is my FAVORITE! My students learn to "dot and say" each word to revise their work (they literally put a yellow dot under each word as they read it to themselves-- that way they catch missing words or words that don't belong.)
Then they mark capitals in green, periods in red. They circle words that they are unsure about in blue. It is such a fantastic way to teach editing to firsties! Again, thanks to Utah Core Academy for this resource!
In the prong section, I have an alphabetized list of the sight words we use at our school. If there is a word they want, I will help them add it to their chart. :) 
The last pocket is publishing.
This example doesn't have it, but in the past, I have my students put a giant heart shape on the back-- where they have drawn all of the things they love (their families, their friends, their favorite things, etc.) When they say "I don't know what to write about!" I kindly encourage them to "Look into your heart!"
The folders are a little labor intensive. I have parents help me as much as possible-- but some years I just put on a movie and work away! :)
Again, several of these great tools are from Core Academy.
If you would like the pages from this folder, click here . Please leave a comment if you download it!
Have a SUPER day!
Sarah
This is a fantastic idea to organize for writer's workshop! I was struggling with how to create a student folder or 3-ring binder and your ideas just solved my dilemma. Thank you for sharing your incredible resources and taking the time to explain and demo them in your blog.
ReplyDeleteCathy,
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that it helped! Have a wonderful school year!
Love this!!! I am still struggling with letting parents help me! I will definitely have to let go and give in on this! ...maybe... :) P.s. I don't know how I ran into your blog, but I emailed you the other day about Math Journal toolbox, and now I have been reading EVERY post on your blog! Loving all the wonderful ideas! :) Thank you for being awesome!
ReplyDeleteAmanda, trust me-- it is SO worth it! Now that I let go and have parents help, my life is just a little calmer :) Even though sometimes things don't turn out quite as precisely as you might want, it is worth it! And sometimes parents are more meticulous than I am-- so they might turn out even better!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I am so glad to know that you are finding useful ideas!!
Thank you! Love the rainbow editing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDelete