"It's not surprising that schools have the power to either help or hinder students in becoming more self-directed. This book will show you how to teach, plan, and speak in ways that nurture kids to become even more self-directed during writing workshop, as well as pave the way for them to become self-directed adults." -Leah Mermelstein

"I'm done. What should I do now?"

If you hear this question all too often during the independent work portion of writing workshop, Leah Mermelstein has a solution for making this time more productive for both students and teachers. Along with making time for writing workshop every day, and planning long-term for it, Leah argues that the "third essential element," creating self-directed writers, is key to the success of writing workshops.

Using a wealth of classroom anecdotes, student samples and specific teaching language, Leah illustrates how even the youngest students can become self-directed learners. Her explicit strategies include:

• creating an appropriate physical environment along with daily rituals and routines
• scaffolding instruction with Write Alouds and Interactive Writing
• planning units, focus lessons, conferences, and shares that are aimed at helping kids become self-directed.

Leah details 10 qualities that teachers can nurture in students to help them meet and exceed the Common Core State Standards in a high quality writing workshop.

Give Leah's practical strategies and tips a try, and transform your writing workshop from a chorus of "what next?" to the quiet hum of deeply engaged kids.

Download a sample chapter here.

Leah Mermelstein is an internationally recognized literacy consultant who specializes in K-5 Reading and Writing Workshop. She is the President and CEO of Read-Write-Connect, INC. She is also the author of Reading/Writing Connections in the K-2 Classroom, (Allyn & Bacon), Don't Forget to Share (Heinemann) and the co-author of Launching the Writing Workshop (with Lucy Calkins) (Heinemann). She recently wrote an article about the power of Write Aloud, which can be found here. She also blogs at bestwritingconsultant.com. For the past 13 years, she has worked as a literacy consultant first, at Teachers College Reading and Writing Project with Lucy Calkins and now independently. She works with schools, districts, educational organizations, as well as universities to help teachers, coaches, and principals grow in their understanding of how to teach reading and writing to elementary students. While working with schools, she utilizes many methods of staff development such as demonstration, coaching, study groups, and institutes to name just a few. Her passions include weeklong summer institutes, keynote speeches, writing with teachers, as well as working collaboratively with districts and other organizations to pinpoint strengths and needs.