Biweekly Recap #ICYMI

As the chaos of fall picks up around me (School! Sports! Pumpkins and apples and sweater weather!), I have to remind myself often to slow down, take a deep breath, and recharge. During my hectic weeks it’s easy to miss out on great posts on Two Writing Teachers blog, so I savor the time I make to catch up on the weekends. If you’re in “catch up” mode, too, here’s a quick roundup of some of the latest and greatest posts from the past two weeks from Two Writing Teachers!

Are your students struggling to stick to a single point of view in their writing? Stacey tackles this topic with some great tips for writing with a consistent point of view. (Bonus: She also shares some fabulous second person mentor texts!)

Mentor Texts for Navigating Second Person Point of View

Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes

Storytelling is at the heart of our work with our youngest children, and no one illuminated the power of telling stories more than the late early childhood educator Vivian Gussin Paley. Jenna reminds us of Paley’s powerful insights into the world of children at play and challenges us all to create classrooms in which play and storytelling are at the forefront.

Channeling Vivian Gussin Paley

Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes

If you’re looking for quick and immediate strategies to put your writers in charge of feedback, Leah shares an impactful way to increase metacognition and agency in the workshop through student-driven feedback. Her post includes charts and a video of this strategy in action so teachers can transfer this work to the classroom tomorrow!

Student-Driven Feedback: A Ready-To-Go Tip

Estimated Reading Time: 2 minutes

On #TWTPod

Writing should be joyful and purposeful, and Stacey and Melanie bring this to life in “Unleash Greenbelt Writing’s Potential: A Digging Deeper Dialogue.” Building upon the idea of Greenbelt Writing, first introduced by Ralph Fletcher in his book Joy Write, this podcast gives listeners practical and insightful ideas for infusing choice and creativity into children’s writing lives.

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.