Offering Choice in the Planning Process
As in all aspects of writing workshop, students should have choice in their planning process.
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Fault Lines in the Constitution: A Review, Five Tips, + Giveaway!
This new book by Cynthia and Sanford Levinson is a treasure trove of information as well as a handy example of many elements of inspiring nonfiction writing.
Putting the Large Stones In First: A September Check-In
Nervously lowering myself into a chair, I scooted myself closer to the table. Around me sat three new colleagues. My new 7th grade teaching team. Having moved from my familiar home in small-town… Continue reading
Knowing My Writers
September is a get-to-know-you month. A community-building-ice-breaker-month. September is a settling-in month, a becoming-comfortable month, a building-relationship month. It’s an ask-the-parents-about-their-child month. A stack of papers month. Artwork created month. September is a launching month, a set-the-vision month, a build-enthusiasm for the work ahead month.
September is an exhausting month, but a month that reveals much about the 24 third graders who inhabit room 215 with me this year.
It’s Tuesday! Time to share a slice of life!
Welcome to our weekly Slice of Life Story Challenge! Write. Share. Give. Please leave the permalink to your own blog post, and comment on at least three other posts. Comments energize writers and keep… Continue reading
The Words You Write First Are Anyone’s Words
Regardless of the genre, one of the most important things we can teach our students is how to write words that could come from them – and only them.
A Closer Look: Learning About Our Writers with Formative Assessment
Sound assessment plays a vital role in showing and in detailing progress students are making toward reasonable goals.
Paper Choices: What’s up with that?
I’ll be honest, the best thing about the start of the new school year is the school supplies. There’s nothing like the combo-smell of new backpack, pencils, erasers, and paper. Ah. I think… Continue reading
Past the Flash of Technology
Technology gives us all choices and decisions to make. Big decisions. How can we welcome technology in our classrooms? Technology can be a new way of doing the same thing. Will we seek apps that allow our students to make choices in creating and sharing with others, or will we seek apps that do the same old thing in a different way?
It’s Tuesday! Join us with a slice of life!
Welcome to our weekly Slice of Life Story Challenge! Please leave the permalink to your own blog post, and comment on at least three other posts. Comments energize writers and keep our writing community… Continue reading
Pausing to remember 9/11
Sixteen years ago, I kissed my three daughters goodbye as I left them in the gym’s babysitting room, and I headed up to the aerobics room to teach my 9:15 step class. My… Continue reading
Three Tips to Avoid Over Committing to First Words: Revision
Helping light the way to revision for our writers while honoring those first words.
Not All Writers Are the Same! Ideas for Differentiating in the Writing Workshop (Part 2)
The fact is, just like athletes that show up to the first day of practice, writers bring different skill sets. Some arrive to middle school not knowing where to put a period, while others already know how paint vivid pictures with words that knock our socks off. How do we plan for such a wide variety of writers?
A Change Will Do You Good
Changing things up can mean extra work and moving away from what you’ve always done. It can also breathe new life into spaces and might move you closer to what you are trying to achieve.
It’s Tuesday! Time to share a slice of life!
Welcome to our weekly Slice of Life Story Challenge! At Two Writing Teachers, we believe in the importance of a writing community. Please leave the permalink to your own blog post, and comment on… Continue reading
Revisiting the Heart Map
Heart maps can help young writers when they think they don’t have anything to write about.
Best Friend Professional Books
Today’s guest post is by Kathy Christy, a third grade teacher and professional development coach. She shares her “best friend professional book” of 2017 with us!
Literacy Coaches: Supporting Your Administrators at the Start of the Year
Three things you can do, as a teacher leader or literacy coach to support administrators (yes, admin need support too!) at the start of the year.
The Silent Hero: Routines and Procedures
Procedures allow us to complete our daily tasks without worry of what’s next. Our minds are free to think about the important parts of our day, the learning.
It’s Tuesday! Time to Share a Slice of Life.
Welcome to the weekly Slice of Life Story Challenge!