Giving this a try

I expect my students to write each time we have writing workshop so I'll see what this feels like.



      I just spent several hours of my Saturday afternoon in my classroom so that I can be gone on Monday.  I need to see a specialist and his office hours don't work with a teacher's day.  The hardest part of the plans is trying to describe to a substitute what writing looks like in kindergarten.
       I usually leave a short "story" I've written for the mini lesson, and then explain what I expect.  Last year I was out for a day, and I'd left wonderful (or so I thought) plans.  The parent volunteers who came in told me the next day he instructed the children to write a paragraph! No, he didn't use the mini lesson, the story and picture I'd drawn or the turn and share piece.  He just said, "go and write a paragraph."   The mom's said the kids just sat and looked worried.   I sure hope that guy isn't available!!
     My appointment isn't until later in the day, so I'm toying with the idea of going in and pulling students to do some assessments. for a couple of hours in the morning.  We have conferences the last week of March and I'm starting to panic!