Smekens Education Access logo
Super Saturday Writing Conference

SECRET SITE

Return to all Sessions

Mini-Lessons

SESSION 1  |  Grades K-12 / ELL All Levels | HANDOUT

Master the mini-lesson

Plan the four essential steps

Incorporate the gradual release of  responsibility.

STEP 1:
Puff Up the Pre-Write

STEP 2:
Puff Up the Pre-Write

STEP 3:
Puff Up the Pre-Write

STEP 4:
Puff Up the Pre-Write

Mini-Lesson Planner
PDF | Google Slide

Master the 4 steps of
an effective mini-lesson.

Teach one skill
across 3+ days.

Traits are to umbrellas…like skills are to spokes.

Ultimate Guide to the Six Traits of Writing

Acquire additional mini-lesson tools.

Launching the Writer's Workshop: Grades K-2
Think Aloud Cards

Stay on topic with titles.

Demonstrate how to highlight and check each sentence against the title to verify it’s on topic.

4-Step Mini-Lesson Plan

Cheerios™ Trigger | JPEG

“Destructive Puppy”
writing sample

“My Bedroom”
writing sample

Make lessons visible.

Connect writing lessons to concrete triggers.

Physical Triggers | PDF

Click on each lesson below to watch how the trigger is introduced and connected to the writing skill.

Pump up your writing (K-2)

Develop the middle/body (K-5)

Pump up your writing (3-12)

Provide strong titles (K-12)

Craft So What? endings (6-12)

Assess for run-on sentences (K-2)

Pre-write with a grocery list (3-12)

Narrow down the topic (3-12)

P.A.T. determines voice (3-12)

Stay on topic with a title (K-12)

Supersize sentences sometimes (K-8)

Add supporting detail sentences (3-12)

Assess sentence-length variety (3-12)

Connect beginnings to endings (K-8)

Go from pre-write to first draft (3-12)