TWT Help Desk Blog Series

Estimated Reading Time: 2 minutes (421 words)

Primary Audience: Teachers and Coaches

The Two Writing Teachers co-authors welcome you to another school year with a back-to-school blog series next week.

We aim to answer a few of the most frequently asked questions with our very own “TWT Help Desk.” Each day will focus on a different “what if” that veteran and new teachers alike grapple with each August.

Red background with a white square image of a woman pondering. There's a blue thinking bubble that says: No Ideas! Another Adult? Too much help? New program? The following words appear around the image: TWT Help Desk: a back-to-school blog series from the co-authors of two writing teachers; August 4 - 10, 2024; http://twowritingteachers.org.

On Sunday, Sarah kicks off the series with “What if I have a new program?” As a literacy coordinator, Sarah is all too familiar with these issues and offers sage advice for teachers considering the “new.”

Monday, Jenna answers, “What if I have a co-teacher?” As a primary educator, Jenna is no stranger to navigating other adults in the classroom. She suggests strategies for collaborative success.

Tuesday, Stacey considers the familiar question, “What if they haven’t written all summer?” She offers ways to kick off the year with engagement and community to get students back into the swing of workshop.

Wednesday, I’ll discuss one of my favorite questions: “What if it’s the first day of writing workshop?” I’ll share how my philosophy guides first-day decision-making, and suggest some reflective questions to get you thinking and planning.

Thursday, Betsy contributes solutions for teachers who ask, “What if a kid says, ‘I don’t write?’” Betsty outlines three reasons for students who feel this way: uncertainty, animosity, and apathy. She provides ready-to-go ideas for these writers.

Friday, Melanie concludes the series with the question, “What if a kid’s topic choice makes you uncomfortable?” She provides recommendations on what to encourage and where to draw the line.

You’ll have a chance to win this week as you read our Help Desk posts. Comment on any of these posts (including this one!) to win a virtual professional development session with Kate Roberts and Maggie Beattie Roberts. I had the chance to meet Kate and Maggie at a conference in February, and they were delightful to chat with. I can’t think of a better way to kick off the school year than learning from these experts!

Author Headshots of Kate Roberts and Maggie Beattie Roberts. — Kate and Maggie

Giveaway Information:

This is a giveaway for a free, 30-minute virtual professional development session with Kate Roberts and Maggie Beattie Roberts. Readers must leave a comment on any or all of the TWT HELP DESK BLOG SERIES POST by Sun., 8/11 at noon EDT. We will announce the winner of the giveaway at the bottom of this intro post by 8/12/24.

Congratulations to KindTeacher59 whose commenter number was selected to win a session with Kate and Maggie!