Overview of the 2018 March Classroom Slice of Life Story Challenge
Join us for the 2018 Slice of Life Story Challenge in March!
Author Archive
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TWTBlog’s Top Ten Educator Organizations to Follow On Twitter in 2018
If you aren’t on Twitter already, maybe this list will be the push you needed to give it a try. We’ve rounded up our ten favorite organizations to follow on Twitter.
Beth’s OLW for 2018
I was often the shortest person in my class. I also cried a lot. Like… a lot. I also seemed to always have a terrible ear-ache, or a bad cough, and headaches… you name it. I was exceptionally clumsy. And forgetful. Basically, I was a weakling.
The Problem with Q&A
When I was a new teacher, my professors and mentors emphasized the importance of questioning as a teaching technique. We were taught to track the number and frequency of questions we asked, as… Continue reading
Happy Thanksgiving from the Two Writing Teachers Team
On behalf of our team at Two Writing Teachers, I’d like to thank you, our readers, for your dedication to the teaching of writing, and for the incredible community of educators you have helped us to build.
Let’s Talk About Methods for Conferring
When I was a new teacher, I learned from Lucy Calkins that there are basically four overall methods to choose from when planning instruction: 1) demonstration, 2) coaching, 3) inquiry, and 4) telling/explaining. This four-method framework is useful for thinking about conferring.
Units of Study That Go On Forever: Solving Predictable Problems
It’s happened to ever teacher. We start out strong, with enthusiasm. We think: This unit is going to be GREAT! This is is exactly what my kids need! This unit is our favorite! But then, five weeks, six weeks, seven weeks (!!) later you and the kids are completely sick of the writing you’ve been doing–just like a favorite recipe that you’ve become burnt out on.
Paper Choices: What’s up with that?
I’ll be honest, the best thing about the start of the new school year is the school supplies. There’s nothing like the combo-smell of new backpack, pencils, erasers, and paper. Ah. I think… Continue reading
Literacy Coaches: Supporting Your Administrators at the Start of the Year
Three things you can do, as a teacher leader or literacy coach to support administrators (yes, admin need support too!) at the start of the year.
It’s Tuesday! Time to Share a Slice of Life.
Welcome to the weekly Slice of Life Story Challenge!
SOL Tuesday
Welcome to our weekly Slice of Life Story Challenge!
It’s Tuesday! Time to Share a Slice of Life!
Write. Share. Give. Have fun.
In Case You Missed It: Writing Workshop Fundamentals Blog Series
Last week, my coauthors and I created a series of posts that we hope you’ll find helpful for getting your school year off to a great start. Whether you are new to writing… Continue reading
Tuesday Slice of Life!
Welcome back to the Tuesday Slice of Life Story Challenge. Write your post. Share the permalink here in the comments section. Be sure to comment on three other posts sometime today. If you… Continue reading
Unit Planning: Writing Workshop Fundamentals
Planning a unit of study is like planning for anything in life. You can’t predict exactly what will happen, but you can project what you think will mostly likely happen, based on what you know.
It’s Tuesday! Share a Slice of Life!
Welcome to the Tuesday Slice of Life Story Challenge. Write your post. Share the permalink here in the comments section. Be sure to comment on three other posts sometime today. The coauthors of… Continue reading
Literacy Coaches: Schools out. Now what?
Four practical priorities for this summer.
Four Writing Workshop Ideas for the Final Stretch
If you’re in the final stretch–the last few days or weeks of school– here are a few ideas to keep kids writing right to the very end.
Literacy Coaches: How do you assess your impact?
A few months ago I received an email from a curriculum director in a district where I sometimes do a bit of consulting: Did I have any data regarding my impact in schools?… Continue reading
Sending Notebooks Up
We can send up our own little writing workshop time-capsules for kids to open in the fall.