Here is our Writer's Workshop Format:

Mini lesson (5-10 min.)

The teacher instructs and models writing procedures, skills and strategies.

Writing (15-20 min)

the students are actively engaged in the writing process.  They are talking, thinking and reading about writing, but mostly just writing, writing, writing.

Sharing (10 min)

3-5 students share their writing from the Author's Chair everyday.  Their peers give positive feedback about their writing. 

At the end of the week the students choose some writing to keep at school in their writing portfolio, and choose some writing to bring home to share with their families.  I often attach a checklist of skills that we are practicing in our writing so that parents can see their child's progress.