Never Write About the Same Topic as Your Students–Except Sometimes
The cornerstone of writing workshop is that students get to choose their own topics rather than be assigned a topic by the teacher.
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Differentiating the Writer’s Notebook for Every Stage K-8: Notebooks as a Writer’s Tool
If you can’t sketch quickly or jot words quickly, or the lines in on the paper feel too small, or you find it difficult to organize your ideas on a blank page, then perhaps there might be other tools that are a better fit for you.
Three Reasons Spelling Lessons Aren’t Transferring into Writing Workshop–and What You Can Do
The same kids who are successful with spelling patterns during word study time are sometimes not applying that spelling pattern to their independent writing. Why?
Overcoming Anxiety About Displaying Student Writing
You see the beauty in your kids’ work: every misspelled word, every cross-out, every taped-on flap. You know that all that “messiness” is evidence of good work that kids are doing. Hard work.
But outside your classroom, the rest of the world might not see it that way.
Tips for Analyzing and Scoring a Ton of Writing
Time is precious, and your mental energy even more so. Why waste either when others before you have learned through trial and error? Avoid common missteps by reading these simple tips.
A Fall To-Do List for Shared Writing in Your K-2 Classroom
Maybe this will be the year I do a lot more shared writing!
My One Piece of Advice
“If you were going to give just one piece of advice to a colleague who is just starting out with writing workshop, what would it be?”
As a literacy coach and consultant, this is a question that I have been asked again and again… and again.
And each time my answer is the same.
This is the year I’m going to organize and grow my mentor text collection.
Think you know mentor texts?Some of the advice in this post might surprise you!
The ABC’s of Literacy Coaching: Reminders for the Start of a Great Year
I have a vivid memory of a coaching conversation from many years ago. I was the one being coached; one of my mentors had observed me and was giving me some no-holds-barred feedback.… Continue reading
Tuesday Slice of Life Story Challenge
Welcome to the Tuesday Slice of Life Story Challenge!
Watching Our Word Wall Come Alive
Read this post for the story of one classroom’s creative celebration of word wall words.
Tuesday Slice of Life Story Challenge
Welcome to the Tuesday Slice of Life Story Challenge!
Tuesday Slice of Life Story Challenge
Welcome to our community or writers, readers, and commenters.
Teach Kids How To Teach Minilessons
Teaching kids how to teach a minilesson might be easier than you think.
Tuesday Slice of Life Story Challenge
Welcome to the Tuesday Slice of Life Story Challenge!
Uncomfortable Topic Choices in Writing Workshop
How do you handle these moments? What does a conference look like when you’re thinking, “Oh my goodness. Should I even be letting them write about this in school?!”
Student Self-Reflection: Looking Back and Moving Forward
Someone once told me (or maybe I read it somewhere) that the best stories are like pearls on a string. Each moment or scene in the story is polished, lovely to read. But… Continue reading
Three Ideas for Oral Storytelling in the Classroom
Some sit at a keyboard and the words just pour out. Others use a pen and paper, working slowly and deliberately. I know one writer who prefers a typewriter to a laptop.
And then there are the storytellers.
It’s Now or Never to Start Up a Shared Writing Routine
Hey, pssst… Yeah, you. Have you noticed that it’s already the middle of April? It’s spring. There are only a matter of weeks left in the school year (not that anyone’s counting). And… Continue reading
Strategies to Support the Spelling Perfectionists in Your Classroom
Many kids go through a perfectionist stage. They will sometimes freeze up, choose not to write, or select different, easier words to spell. Here’s what you can do.