“Patty McGee’s book has distilled Writer’s Workshop into 7 key essentials that will always be your go-to guide for developing a community of eager, strong writers who continually grow through mini-lessons, studying mentor texts, teacher feedback, and writing partnerships. Filled with students’ work and practical advice, this book will inspire you to develop a thriving workshop of students who see themselves as writers!”

“If you want to learn how to foster independence during Writer’s Workshop, Patty’s 7 essentials will give you just what you are looking for. From creating conditions for writing by establishing a community of writers, to using partnerships to uplift student voices, this book gave me seven actions that I can use immediately to support all writers. The tools, examples, and checklists provided just-in-time support and encouragement that will positively impact my work with teachers and students—fostering greater independence in Writer’s Workshop.”

“Patty is truly an insightful and inspiring educator and mentor. Her ability to name engaging, effective, and motivating protocols, structures, and routines that keep writers at the heart of the classroom is truly a gift. This book of essentials is ideal for classroom teachers, instructional coaches, and even administrators. Patty’s insight and concrete essentials offer readers ways to design writing classrooms that allow developing writers to grow in their comfort with being vulnerable and identifying as a writer. The framework provided in this book will support classroom communities full of passionate, engaged, and skillful writers, which Patty says is the goal of all writing teachers."