Why My Old Writer’s Workshop Failed (and What Fixed It)

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Let’s talk writer’s workshop—not the Pinterest-perfect, every-kid-scribbling-furiously version. I mean the real one. The kind where some students thrive... and some stare blankly at the page for 20 minutes straight.

That’s where I started.

I loved the idea of writer’s workshop.

Mini-lesson → independent writing → sharing out.
Sounds dreamy, right?

But in reality?
⛔ Some kids had no idea what to write about.
⛔ Some didn’t know if they were “doing it right.”
⛔ Some barely wrote a sentence and then… behavior issues.

So, I changed everything.

Yep... everything.

After stepping away from the classroom to become a full-time children’s book author (and watching real authors work), I realized something huge: there are specific routines that professional writers use every day—and our students can use them too.

Then I noticed something else…

At my son’s baseball practice, I saw 8-year-old team captains leading warm-ups while the coach got everything else ready. When it was time to teach, the coach swooped in, gave a quick focus lesson, and let them play. 

It was smooth. 

Focused. 

Collaborative.

So I combined those two worlds—writing like real authors + empowering students to lead—and what came out of it was The Structured Writing Workshop.

Here’s exactly how I launch it every year—and how it’s completely transformed the way my middle schoolers engage with writing.


1. Set the Mood 🕯️📚

Before we write a word, I create a mood in the classroom.

I dim the lights, plug in the twinkle lights, and throw up a slideshow of inspiring author quotes over cozy library backgrounds.

It sends a clear message:

This time is different. Writing time is special.

Coming straight from lunch or recess? They walk into a space that feels calm, focused, and writerly. It’s a signal to shift gears and treat writing as something sacred (but still fun).


2. Issue the Challenge

Once the vibe is set, we move into goal setting—but not the overwhelming, write-about-anything-ever type.

I give them structured freedom. Think:

  • A few genre options
  • A small menu of skill choices
  • Occasionally, a game spinner 🎯

Why?
Because if you’ve ever spent 45 minutes scrolling Netflix and still didn’t pick a movie… that’s what giving kids total freedom can feel like.

They freeze.

So I narrow the choices just enough to spark creativity without stalling it.

Every student makes a writing goal and decides how many lines they’ll write. Then they literally draw a line on their paper to show how far they plan to go. (It’s simple, visual, and way more motivating than word counts.)

Instead of the students barking out, "How long does this have to be??" I simply ask, "How much do you hope to write today?" They set their own goals and their trio holds them accountable. 


3. Let the Students Lead

Here’s where things really get fun.

Each workshop starts with student leaders.
Yes, they lead it.

There’s a script. There’s a timekeeper. There are assistants. Everyone has a job.

Leaders call out goals, help set the pace, and check in with peers.
This is where the magic happens—because the workshop starts to feel like theirs, not mine.

And when students take ownership?


They take more risks. 

They try harder. 

They write more.


4. Deliver Quick, Powerful Lessons

Once the students are warmed up, it’s my turn.

The timekeeper calls me up (yes, really), and I deliver a power lesson—usually about 7 minutes long.

These lessons focus on one of the six power skills I teach on repeat throughout the year. I rotate them and build on them as students grow.

These aren’t long lectures. They’re sharp, focused, and packed with mentor examples that they can apply right away in their writing.

More on those six skills in another post, but here's a sneak peek:
✔️ Voice
✔️ Hooks
✔️ Sentence complexity
✔️ Figurative language
✔️ Vivid imagery
✔️ Show, don’t tell


5. Go Diamond Mining 💎

Now we write—and I start the hunt.

As students are writing, I move around the room looking for diamonds:
✨ Sentences where a student took a risk
✨ Tried the skill from that day’s mini-lesson
✨ Showed something brilliant, even if it wasn’t perfect

When I spot one, I jot it down (or type it right into my slides) and feature it on the board.

And guess what? The kids want to be spotted.


They’re motivated to apply the skill because they might be the one who gets their work showcased.

It turns writing into a positive experience, not a painful one.

Imagine your classroom looking and sounding like THIS:



Why This Works

Traditional writer’s workshop asks a lot of students—with very little structure.
But this approach gives them:

  • A clear routine
  • Built-in leadership roles
  • Focused skill-building
  • Motivation through goal setting
  • Immediate, authentic feedback

And it gives you:

  • Fewer behavior problems
  • More writing
  • Students who know what to do and how to do it
  • A calmer, more productive writing block

🎥 Want to See It in Action?

You can watch the full video here 👉 How I Teach Writing to Engage Middle School Students in Writing Workshop

I walk you through the full structure and show you exactly how I kick off the year with this model.


✏️ Ready to Try It?

If you want to bring this energy into your classroom without building it all from scratch, I’ve created done-for-you materials that walk you through every piece of this workshop—from student leader scripts to mentor sentence warm-ups to revision checklists.

You can check out my full bundle of resources here 👉 My TPT Store


Let me know if you try this in your own classroom—or if you’re already running something similar! I’d love to hear what’s working for your writers. 💛

Happy writing!

Robin


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