At Maud S. Sherwood Elementary School, the Writing Workshop initiative provides a supportive and collaborative environment for writers to improve their skills by encouraging regular writing practice and providing individualized feedback. This “workshop model” emphasizes and focuses on the importance of the process of writing by incorporating peer review, meaningful communication, critical thinking and editing and revising skills.

“This approach aligns with our growth mindset philosophy and provides students with opportunities to learn from one another, share their writing, and gain confidence in their growing writing ability,” Principal Briana James said.

Last November, Sherwood’s writers showcased all that they learned during Writing Workshop by participating in the first schoolwide writing celebration of the 2024-2025 year. Invitees to the celebration included second-grade parents, district administrators and Board of Education trustees. To keep the tradition alive, the celebration was kicked off with student representatives from each grade sharing what they learned as writers with the entire student body via livestream, which they also shared when presenting at the district’s October Board of Education meeting.

On Jan. 23, Sherwood celebrated again, with parents of third graders invited to join the festivities.

“At this time, we have completed one fiction and one nonfiction unit,” James said. “We can’t wait to dive into our next writing pieces and look forward to another celebration in April.”

Date Added: 2/3/2025