Welcome to the last opportunity for slicing of 2017! Thanks to all of you who contibute to the vitality and spirit of this writing community! WRITE a slice of life story on your own blog. SHARE a link to your post in the comments section. GIVE comments to at least three other SOLS bloggers.
Month: December 2017
Slice of Life Tuesday
Even when life seems busy, hectic, and crazy, find and celebrate those minutes to read and write. Celebrate this community of writers! WRITE a slice of life story on your own blog. SHARE a link to your post in the comments section. GIVE comments to at least three other SOLS bloggers.
A Winter Recess
A winter recess is upon us here at Two Writing Teachers. A break is nice, but we have a lot in store for 2018. We can't wait to come back in January with a fresh start!
Teaching Small Groups in the Middle School Writing Workshop
For many middle school teachers, planning and teaching small groups in writing workshop feels a little like the Rubik's Cube; like this famous puzzle, there is a sense that small groups are doable (somehow, maybe?), yet the orchestration of all the many parts can make them feel overwhelming and perhaps even insurmountable. If you feel this way, know that you are not alone.
More Wishes
More wishes for you, dear educator, as we get ready to end one year and begin another.
Slice of Life Tuesday
WRITE a slice of life story on your own blog. SHARE a link to your post in the comments section. GIVE comments to at least three other SOLS bloggers.
Plan Boxes as Management Tools
Do you struggle with students working -- rather than socializing -- during independent writing time? If so, here's a solution to keep your kids engaged as writers so you can maximize the number of students you meet with during independent writing time.
Writing Workshop is Anticipated
Writing is joyful this year.
The Problem with Q&A
When I was a new teacher, my professors and mentors emphasized the importance of questioning as a teaching technique. We were taught to track the number and frequency of questions we asked, as well as the type of questions. We were taught to track how many and which students we were questioning, and how many… Continue reading The Problem with Q&A
Using Digital Tools to Meet the Needs of Developing Writers
When writing with digital tools, students have the opportunity to design and share writing in a variety of ways that not only add a new aesthetic to writing but more importantly they offer teachers the ability to skillfully and intentionally scaffold writing development.
SOL Tuesday
WRITE a slice of life story on your own blog. SHARE a link to your post in the comments section. GIVE comments to at least three other SOLS bloggers. It's a busy time of year! A time when sometimes sitting down in the chair and writing is hard to do. (It's always hard!) A community helps, and so… Continue reading SOL Tuesday
Warming up with grammar games
Before my daughter plays a soccer game or scrimmages, her team goes through several warm-up exercises. Watching the go through the motions, I’m impressed that they all seem to enjoy the warm-ups, and they also can explain the purpose of them. It has helped me to think of these grammar games as the girls think of their soccer warm-ups. They’re quick, they’re fun, and they’re relevant to writing.

