Be a Rainbow in Someone Else’s Cloud Right Now
Maya Angelou said, “Prepare yourself, so that you can be a rainbow in somebody else’s cloud.” I’m working on it. I hope you’ll join me.
Writing With My Kindergartener At Home
Like many of you, I am learning how to teach my own two kids at home. I’m a little hesitant to say “homeschool” because what I’m doing isn’t really the … Continue Reading Writing With My Kindergartener At Home
The Classroom Slice of Life Story Challenge at Home: Advice for Families
Usually, readers of Two Writing Teachers are teachers and literacy coaches. However, this post is as much for families at home with kids as it is for teachers.
DAY 16 OF THE MARCH SOLSC! #SOL20
It is now Day 16 of the 13th Annual Slice of Life Story Challenge! #SOL20
DAY 15 OF THE MARCH SOLSC! #SOL20
Welcome Day 15 Annual Slice of Life Story Challenge! We are HALFWAY THERE! #SOL20
DAY 14 OF THE MARCH SOLSC! #SOL20
It’s the 14th day of the 13th Annual Slice of Life Story Challenge! You’ve posted for two full weeks in a row! You’re on a roll now! #SOL20
DAY 13 OF THE MARCH SOLSC! #SOL20
Welcome to the 13th day of the 13th Annual Slice of Life Story Challenge! Who says Friday the 13th is bad luck? Not us! #SOL20
DAY 12 OF THE MARCH SOLSC! #SOL20
Welcome to Day 12 of the 13th Annual Slice of Life Story Challenge! You’re really doing it! #SOL20
Background Noise for Writing Workshop
How quiet is too quiet, when it comes to writing workshop?
How To Name An Explicit Teaching Point for Writers
A clear teaching point helps students understand the work, and makes your conference more memorable. A concisely stated teaching point is also is a tool for keeping your conference focused and effective.
How-To Writing for All Ages: Expand the Possibilities of Genres You Teach
I was surprised to discover that some kids see How-To’s as something that is only for kindergarteners. I wonder how many teachers might also think of How-To’s as something that is too easy for older writers.
Literacy Coaches: Thinking Ahead to May & June — Already?!
Here are three things I’m working on, right now, in the first week of February.
Overview of the 13th Annual Slice of Life Story Challenge
This March, we’ll host the 13th Annual Slice of Life Story Challenge.
A Few Reasons to Stop Writing on Student Work
Even if you were somebody who enjoyed your teachers’ written comments or corrections on your papers, there are some solid reasons to consider not writing on your students’ work.
Something Do-Able to Try: The Editing Minute
Most of us probably do it without even thinking much about it, but our young writers might not have developed this important habit.
Paper Choices for Opinion and Argument Writing: Reaching Your Writers
Providing options for paper allows all your students to do the same type of writing (opinion, persuasive, or argument) in many different ways. Differentiating the materials makes it possible for all your students to do the work–without having to resort to a formula or fill-in-the-blank worksheet.
“Just-Keep-Swimming” Spelling Strategies
Just like Dory, in the movie Finding Nemo, young writers can easily lose their way and forget where they were headed, especially if they stop for too long and lose their momentum.
Living the Writerly Life in School
We say to kids, “Here’s your notebook! Now you are writer!” We want kids to write in school and beyond. Maybe there are things we can do in school to keep their writerly lives going–even when our units of study and minilessons have moved on to other aspects of the work.
How to Name a Transferable Teaching Point in a Writing Conference
Conferring with young writers is far too complex to boiled down to just one important aspect. But… if you had to name the most important part of a writing conference, what would it be?
Dear Kids… A Post You Can Share With Your Students on How To Use Writing Notebooks Home
Inspired by a recent conversation I had with some fourth graders, today I want to share a post with you that is also something you can share with your students. Feel free to read, display, or otherwise share with your third fourth, fifth graders, and middle schoolers.
