When I visit a classroom, one of the first things I often say to kids is, "Today, please don't erase. I want to see ALL the great work you are doing as a writer. When you erase, your work disappears!" Often, this is what kids are accustomed to and they continue working away. But sometimes, kids stare at me as if I've got two heads.
Year: 2015
Tuesday SOL
Please post a permalink to your slice of life story in the comments section of this post. Then click and comment on at least three other Slicers' writing.
Check-In Talk
How do you support students with mid-workshop check-ins?
ICYMI: Creating Classroom Environments to Launch the School Year Blog Series Recap
In case you missed a moment of our blog series on Creating Classroom Environments to Launch the Year, here's a recap. See you tomorrow at our Twitter chat! 8:30pm EDT, #TWTBlog.
Creating Classroom Environments: Setting up for the middle school writing workshop.
Teaching writing workshop at the middle school level can be an extraordinarily satisfying experience: middle schoolers are ready and willing to think deeply about issues, they understand more, they want to examine issues about the world and themselves, and writing workshop gives them the perfect opportunity to stretch and grow as individuals and as writers. But ...
Creating Classroom Environments: Are You Ready for Technology?
One question I am often asked about using technology is, “How do you get started?” The answer is actually a simple one - humbly.
Creating Classroom Environments: Places for Writers to Grow
Every summer I dream of my classroom. When considering my third grade writers, what do they need to grow and how can I provide classroom spaces for that?
Creating Classroom Environments: Starting the Year with Empty Walls
5 Ways to Resist the Urge to Cutify Your Classroom
Tuesday Slice of Life Story Challenge
"Your life is your story. Write well. Edit often." -Susan Statham
Creating Classroom Environments: Paper Choices
Kids do need room to grow. Not only do they outgrow clothes in the blink of an eye, they also grow as readers and writers. This is why we need classroom libraries stocked with a wide range of levels, and it's why we need writing centers stocked with paper choices.
Creating Classroom Environments: Introducing Writer’s Notebooks
Four tips for introducing writer's notebooks this fall
Creating Classroom Environments: Charts to Start the Year
Start the year off right with charts that make expectations, strategies and tips on writing visible for students.

