I. ResearchAccording to Fletcher and Portalupi, students use writing in various ways: to communicate, to question, to persuade, to synthesize, to teach (1). Fletcher states, “…a writing workshop creates an environment in which students can develop these skills as well as the fluency, confidence, and desire to think of themselves as writers” (1). A writing workshop includes the following elements: mini-lessons, conferences, strategy lessons and educational sharing according to Bender (xvii). Fletcher and Portalupi (11-13), along with Peha (3), divide their writing workshop into three components: mini-lessons, writing time, and shared time with individual or small group conferences. All the components are necessary for a successful writing workshop. Mini-lessons are very short, usually between five and fifteen minutes, and are focused and direct, with topics chosen for each mini-lesson based on the needs of the entire class (Bender 5). ; Fletcher 10; Peha 3). Fletcher explains that the topics in a teacher's mini-lesson should fall into one of four categories (10). These include: procedure, the writing process, qualities of good writing, and editing skills (Fletcher 10-11). After the mini-lesson is completed, students should be given time to write independently and the teacher should be aware that not all students will go back and use the strategy that was taught in the mini. -lesson that day, because not all students will be in the same place. the overall writing process (Bender 6; Fletcher 12). Writing time should be spent on it the longest in the workshop (Fletcher 12). Peha suggests twenty to forty-five minutes for student writing time (3). During this time, students work independently on writing projects; as well as...... middle of paper ......rtner and share instead of sharing with the whole class because we will run out of time some days where we will all lose track of time because we are caught up in our writing.Bender, J.M. (2007). The resourceful writing teacher. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann. Fletcher, R. and Portalupi, J. (2001). Writing workshop: The essential guide. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.Peha, S. Welcome to the Writer's Workshop. Retrieved October 8, 2010 from http://www.ttms.org/PDFs/05%20Writers%20Workshop%20v001%20(Full).pdf.Works CitedBender, J.M. (2007). The resourceful writing teacher. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann. Fletcher, R. and Portalupi, J. (2001). Writing workshop: The essential guide. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.Peha, S. Welcome to the Writer's Workshop. Retrieved October 8, 2010 from http://www.ttms.org/PDFs/05%20Writers%20Workshop%20v001%20(Full).pdf .