Two weeks before teachers had to go back to school, the middle school humanities teachers had a 4 day writing workshop put on my TCRWP. I can honestly say that it was one of the best professional development events I have ever participated in. The middle schools have adopted the writing Units of Study and my 6th grade PLC (professional learning community) is currently implementing the first 6th grade unit. But we are left with a burning question:
WRITER’S WORKSHOP OR WRITERS’ WORKSHOP?
I was wrestling with this dilemma on day when a teacher came in and asked me that very question. It felt good to know I wasn’t alone.
What do you call it? When I say it, it makes no difference. I can see WRITER’S WORKSHOP because each kid is working on their own stories, techniques and pace. I can also see a case for WRITERS’ WORKSHOP because it is a group of writers simultaneously working on their own stories, techniques and pace. I get around it by writing WRITING WORKSHOP on the board, but saying WRITERS WORKSHOP aloud and letting kids insert the apostrophe wherever their minds want to.
So, I would love to know: what do you call it?
booksandbassets 
You are funny! I’ve called it Writer’s Workshop. Not because I was thoughtful, but because I was following someone else’s lead. I love how you are all thinking this through, though. I prefer Writer (s) in some form because it names the person, not the activity. My thinking here is that we are writers. Writers come to school and leave school. Versus “writing” that might just be an activity that happens at school. As for the singular or plural issue… either works beautifully. Perhaps it’s a discussion to have with your students.
This is a dilemma. I have always called it Writer’s Workshop because I wanted to impress upon my students that each one is a writer and all should be working on their piece. It would be interesting to hear your tally of responses.
Writer’s Workshop – but some times I slip and just say, writing. Oh, well.
I’m with you. It doesn’t matter either way as long as they are writing.
You should have this conversation with your class, they could help decide!