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Writing is one of the three components to our Responsive Literacy Framework and the Workshop Model.  The framework offers support for generating a literacy program by highlighting promising practices,  assessment and planning tools to support the diverse needs of our learners.  It includes a balance of instructional approaches through ongoing, formative assessments that respond to individual needs.  The Workshop Model encourages teachers to follow the stages of Modelling, Sharing, Guiding and Independent.  As we model for our students, teachers offer lots of support and student voice and choice is low. In contrast as we slowly release responsibility, we see our students independently writing and the support from teachers is low and students have much more choice and voice.   
Modelled writing is an instructional process where we write passages of text in front of our students.  We carry out a process of "thinking aloud" when we model our writing process.
Shared writing is a process we use to help our learners understand how to write a particular type of text and model for our students to emulate.  It involves a collaborative process as our students offer input in the generation of the text. 
Guided writing is a small group approach where we meet with a group of students who have similar writing needs.  We can conference, do a mini lesson or identify similar challenges.
Independent writing is when students use the skills they developed over time and generate their own texts.  As our learners explore writing, they have the opportunity to hone competencies using their own writing interests.