Victoria Anderson
Materials: example of conference sign up sheet
Time Required:� approximately 15 minutes
Purpose of Mini Lesson:� This mini lesson is to show students how a teacher conference will go and be made in the class dealing with the writer�s workshop.� Students need to know exactly how to do this before they are expected to perform it on their own.�
Activity:� The teacher is going to make an example of what a student needs to do in order to have a writing conference with the teacher.� Students will be shown the correct way to sign up and will be informed of what they need to have ready for their conference.� The teacher does a role-play, using a student to play her and she will be the student.� The roles will be switched and shown in reverse order.�
Script:� Okay class, as you know, this year we will be involved in the writer�s workshop program. During this workshop you will be asked to have several different conferences about your writing.� Some conferences will be with your peers and on each writing assignment you will conference with me privately.�� During our conference we will discuss your piece and problems you think you are having.� I will give suggestions and help in any way I can.� To sign up for these conferences is your responsibility.� There will be a sign up sheet in the conference area at all times.� I would like you to please sign up the day before in order for me to know who I will be meeting with and review what you have written.� So now, I am going to be the student, and (name someone) will be me and we will show you what to do.� (The teacher then goes and signs up for her conference meeting.� Tell your students what your are doing with each step.)�� Conference time.� I will have my paper ready and thought and ideas written down ready to talk about with the teacher.� (Role-play the most important parts of the conference).
This is how you sign up for a conference.� These are the things that you must have with you to make our conference successful.� We will work together to make the best of your writing.�