Biweekly Recap #ICYMI

Many teachers (myself included) went back to school in the past few weeks. During this busy time, we’ve missed some incredible posts on Two Writing Teachers blog that are relevant to our current back-to-school frenzy. Here’s a recap of four posts you missed:

Melanie pens a thoughtful letter to new teachers with the three most important things to remember about writing workshop:

A Letter to a New Writing Teacher

Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes

It’s hard to know when kids are ready to move from routines and expectations to content. In her post, Sarah grapples with that debate and shares a tool to help teachers decide:

Is It Time to Teach Yet?

Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes

I share a strategy to amp up reflection. This is a great routine to kickoff now and encourage throughout the year.

Try Reflective Notebooks This Year: Straight From the Classroom

Estimated Reading Time: 2.5 minutes

Our students’ writing muscles likely experienced some atrophy over the summer. Shawnda explores ways to amp up stamina.

Building Writing Stamina Outside the Workshop

Estimated Reading Time: 2.5 minutes

On #TWTPod

In “Joyful Writing Partnerships,” Stacey shares how to set writing partners up for a successful year. She also reminds us about the importance of taking time to compliment as we confer with writers in “Remember the Compliment.”

Writing Together with Slice of Life: A Digging Deeper Dialogue – Two Writing Teachers Podcast

Stacey and Melanie dive into the transformative power of the Slice of Life Story Challenge, a writing initiative that has connected educators since 2008. Stacey shares the origins of the challenge, emphasizing the importance of community and daily writing. The discussion highlights how participating in this challenge not only enhances writing skills but also deepens empathy and understanding among teachers, impacting their overall teaching practices. Melanie reflects on a recent meeting with fellow educators who revealed that the challenge has been a game-changer in their careers, enriching their approach across various content areas. Join them as they explore the profound insights gained from being authentic learners within a supportive writing community.Go Deeper:Building on “Rallying a Community of Writers”: A February Support System by Ana Valentina PattonEmbracing Imperfection as a Teacher-Writer: A Conversation With a Colleague – Stacey Shubitz and Ana Valentina PattonMattering: The Secret to a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose by Jennifer Breheny WallaceOn a Thought by Ona GabrielOne Writer at a Time: Fostering An Adult Writing Community by Jessica CareyRallying a Community of Writers by Jessica CareyWriting: The Gift We Give Ourselves by Jessica CareyEssential FAQs for First-Time Slice of Life Story Challenge ParticipantsThanks to our affiliate, Zencastr! Use our special link (https://zen.ai/mqsr2kHXSP2YaA1nAh2EpHl-bWR9QNvFyAQlDC3CiEk) to save 30% off your first month of any Zencastr paid plan.Send a textPlease subscribe to our podcast and leave us ratings/reviews on your favorite listening platform.You may contact us directly if you want us to consult with your school district. Melanie Meehan: meehanmelanie@gmail.com Stacey Shubitz: stacey@staceyshubitz.com Email us at contact@twowritingteachers.org for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities.For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.