Time for the Tuesday Slice of Life Story Challenge!
Join us for the Tuesday Slice of Life Story Challenge!
Author Archive
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A Quick Little Conference About Choices
I pulled a child-sized chair over to Zach and sat down next to him. “How’s it going?” I asked. “Not good,” was his reply. “What seems to be the trouble?” Zach explained that… Continue reading
Tuesday Slice of Life Story Challenge
Welcome to the Slice of Life Story Challenge. Here are few quotes for inspiration. Enjoy! When I write, my mind’s not filled with visual imagery. It’s filled with language. Words. I seek words,… Continue reading
Independent Writing Blog Series Starts Now!
Today launches our Independent Writing Blog Series! Join us all week long as we write about writing projects, summer writing, getting published in the real world, multi-genre projects, pulling back to let kids write on their own, and much, much more! Also join us for a Twitter chat on Monday, May 12 at 8:30pm EST with the hashtag #TWTBlog.
Top Ten Ways to Keep Minilessons from Turning into Maxilessons
We’ve all been there. You’ve gathered your students into the classroom meeting area, nice and cozy, with the intention of doing just a quick l’il minilesson. Just a quick tip about writing and… Continue reading
April Vacation
Here in Vermont, winter is white and sparkly, all jingle bells and sleigh rides. Summer is green and luscious, with blue skies and sunshine. Fall is golden and red and drop dead gorgeous.… Continue reading
A Mini-Crash-Course on Oral Storytelling
It’s been several months since I’ve written for Two Writing Teachers. In December my son was born, and I was on maternity leave until a few weeks ago. Then, in March I pushed aside all excuses… Continue reading
Remembering Newtown
There are no words.
Shared Writing 101: A Crash Course in Writing Together
A quick, down and dirty, overview of shared writing and how it might support your students.
Does “Published” Need to be “Perfect?”
There’s a reason for second and third editions of really great books–a writer’s work is never done, and is certainly never, ever perfect.
Happy Charting: ‘Smarter Charts’ Authors Marjorie Martinelli and Kristi Mraz Share Some Tips for Your Classroom
It’s always a joy to learn with Majorie Martinelli and Kristi Mraz. In this interview, they share some excellent advice on using charts to support independence in the classroom.
Pens Versus Pencils: Which One is Better for Writing Workshop?
In my line of work as a staff developer, I often get the question, “Which do you think is better? Pens or pencils?” I have to start by saying that I don’t think… Continue reading
Tailoring Our Teaching: No Need to Wing It If You’ve Got Great Conferring Notes
Lucy Calkins, author of many books on teaching writing, often says that conferring is the heart of writing workshop. I once heard her say to a group of graduate students that she wished… Continue reading
Coaching Conferences in the Writing Workshop
It’s January, at the top of a mountain in Vermont. Ten six and seven year olds are lined up on the side of a ski trail. Their skis all pointing toward me, ready… Continue reading
Ten Suggestions for Encouraging Kids to Write at Home
Dear Parents and Caregivers, You might not realize it, but there are a zillion things you can do right at home to foster a love of writing. Even if you, yourself, are not… Continue reading
Pump Up the Volume!
I recently had a dream about teaching writing. In my dream the kids wrote and wrote and wrote for hours on end as I floated effortlessly from student to student. You could hear… Continue reading
Setting Up Writing Partners for Success
We’ve all been there. Reading your own writing to somebody else can be scary. Even when I am teaching adults in writing institutes and graduate courses I often have to say, “Please don’t… Continue reading
Introduction: Beth Moore
Hello Readers! Please allow me to introduce myself. I am thrilled to become a part of this fabulous team of teachers and writers. It is such an honor to be a part of this… Continue reading