Teaching this time of year can be exhausting, and the kids are just as fatigued. With that in mind, today I share tips and tricks from the #TWTBlog and #TWTPod archives to get uninterested writers excited and engaged.
In this episode, we explore the concept of greenbelt writing and its profound impact on young writers. We discuss why children must be free to play with words without grading pressure. We discuss how allowing kids to choose their preferred genres empowers creativity and fosters a genuine love for writing. Through discussion, we share the true essence of greenbelt writing—an unmanicured and imperfect form of expression that prioritizes the growth and well-being of the writer. We explore how this approach can unlock hidden talents, build confidence, and ignite a lifelong passion for writing.
Whether you’re a classroom teacher, literacy coach, or curriculum director, this episode will inspire you to rethink traditional approaches to writing instruction. Tune in to this enlightening episode and celebrate the beauty of ungraded writing, encourage creative exploration, and unlock the full potential of every young writer.
Joyful classrooms, where play and humor are valued, help make schools feel safer and more welcoming. In today’s episode, we’ll provide ways to increase joy, play, and humor in your writing workshop
Leah Thomas is passionate about honoring student voice and identity through writing workshop and early literacy. She believes that for children to see themselves as writers, they must be trusted with autonomy and supported as they explore their writing processes. By centering intentional identity development, foundational skills instruction, and a brave classroom community, Leah nurtures young writers as they grow in both skill and craft. The Gateway Writing Project strengthens her belief that teachers who write are better writing teachers. Leah slices at leahthomaswrites.wordpress.com, and you can follow her on LinkedIn and BlueSky: @LeahThomasWrites.
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