“Filled with illuminating quotes and inspiring anecdotes, The Writing Shop
is potent, simple, and persuasive. It pulled the writer in me back to my
notebooks and fueled the teacher in me to refresh the classrooms I work in. A
necessary and timely reminder about the importance of authenticity.”
– Dorothy Barnhouse, international literacy consultant, author of
Readers Front and Center, and co-author of What Readers Really Do
“I was given an advance copy of Suzanne Farrell Smith’s book The Writing Shop
and I was thrilled to see her promote a refocusing of our work with writers that
embraces the brilliance of a shop model. Suzanne believes that just like when
learning a craft or trade, a shop is the most engaging environment in which to
be mentored, to experiment, and to practice the craft of writing. The human
element of developing trusting and nurturing relationships between master and
apprentice is central to the premise of her work. She shares anecdotes from her
personal life and from real-world experiences of craftsmen to illuminate her
ideas and the elements of shop. Suzanne advocates for a playful and stimulating
learning environment, without compromising academic expectations. Come
take a peek inside her shop and learn from a master!”
– Paula Bourque, literacy coach and author of Close Writing: Developing
Purposeful Writers in Grades 2–6 and Quick Writing: Nurturing Hearts
and Minds in Elementary Classrooms
“The Writing Shop is rich. Rich in storytelling, rich in detail, rich in imagery,
rich in inspiration. I challenge any teacher reading this book to not be inspired
and renewed with a fresh sense of what is possible when children are allowed
to play in the process of writing. In The Writing Shop, Suzanne continues a
tradition of master teachers generously sharing their hard-earned insight into
how teachers can help children steward the shop that is their own imagination
and voice. Teachers tasked with helping children master the craft of writing
would do well to add this immensely useful and beautiful text to their shelf.”
– Nancy Cavillones, writer and former New York City English teacher
“Reading Suzanne Farrell Smith’s The Writing Shop is like embarking on
a journey of the senses, where one finds oneself immediately endeared to
her lovely vision of what writing workshop could be. With frequent nods to
the value that play, noise, and “mess” can bring to any kind of workshop,
Suzanne reminds us to slow down and enjoy not just the products that students
ultimately create, but their beautiful and varying processes as well—for this
is where the true magic of writing workshop happens.”
– Shawna Coppola, author of RENEW! Become a Better—and More
Authentic—Writing Teacher
“This beautiful, approachable book not only teaches you how to teach writing,
but reclaims the rightful place of “shop” in writing workshop. Suzanne
Farrell Smith captures how it should feel for anyone of any age to write: full
of exploration, spontaneity, and joy. The Writing Shop is the perfect blend of
teaching strategies, student stories, and Suzanne’s own personal journey in
becoming a teacher of writing and, more importantly, of writers. Novel in its
approach and singular in its voice, The Writing Shop is a must-read book that
will undoubtedly make your classroom and your students come alive through
the writing process. Every child deserves the kind of writing shop classroom
Suzanne will help you create.”
– Katie Egan Cunningham, Associate Professor at Manhattanville
College and author of Story: Still the Heart of Literacy Learning and
Happiness by Design
“Real writing is messy business. Rarely do writers churn out perfect works
by following a linear, five-step writing process to a T. Why then do we
expect our students to perform this way? In The Writing Shop, Suzanne
Farrell Smith masterfully breaks down the barriers of product-focused
writing instruction and invites teachers to let their students explore the messy
business of writing as a craft. Beautifully woven among tidbits and tales
of her own young writing students, Suzanne’s detailed, specific suggestions
for integrating the essential components of a creative shop into a classroom
are perfect for both the novice and the experienced teacher, for those just
starting to integrate a workshop model to those who are looking for ways to
reinvigorate an existing writing workshop. Best of all, Suzanne focuses on
the fun of writing and ignites (or reignites!) an excitement that is essential for
any teacher looking to inspire students to find, develop, and hone the skills
that make writing messy and real and wonderful.”
– Jenni Eaton, writer, English teacher at Takoma Park Middle School
and Adjunct Associate Professor of Writing at University of Maryland
University College
“The Writing Shop connects to the roots of a true workshop and helps us
understand that writing is an art of playful making and doing. Suzanne takes
concepts like ‘living like a writer’ and makes them crystal clear by weaving
in personal stories, teaching stories, and research. Reading this book is
a gift to any teacher who wants to ensure that shop is a big part of their
writing workshop and that students and teachers alike feel energized and
authentically engaged in writing.”
– Gravity Goldberg, literacy consultant and author of Teach Like Yourself
“In The Writing Shop, educators will find a blueprint for creating a workshop
in which students learn the fundamentals of composition with glee rather than
dread, that inspires reluctant writers to experiment and play, and facilitates
student leadership, competence, and confidence. Writers will find a guide
for revolutionizing the writing desk, as well as the practice of writing. With
a warm, clear, compassionate voice, Suzanne invites readers to join her in
approaching writing as a messy, joyful experiment. Part history, part memoir,
part how-to, this book is a celebration of the written word. It is the kind of
book you will carry around in your back pocket and, in no small part because
of Suzanne’s keen insight and wisdom, the kind of book that becomes a
mentor and a friend.”
– Sarah Twombly, writer and Adjunct Professor at Husson University
