A meeting place for a world of reflective writers.
As I opened my classroom door Friday I knew we would be writing a poem for Mother’s Day. I was feeling a bit guilty about the ease and maybe the lack of thought that I had put into the gift this year. As I switched on the lights and straightened books, I thought about Wonderopolis. I entered Mother’s Day in the search box and found a wonder on Mother’s Day and an invitation to dive into Writing Maker Space!
As you embark on using, student-written mentor texts push yourself beyond the flawless and visually perfect pieces. Look for the gems buried behind the messy and sometimes crumpled papers. Search for opportunities for all students to shine and guide other writers. All writers have value.
Dropping poetry in our classroom silently was like sprinkling seeds and the students (in the classroom and our mentors in Ms. Haseltine’s classroom in Virginia) acted as the fertilizer. The students were learning about poetry and becoming poets before we had any lessons. From this point on, our study of poetry became an enlightenment of the curiosity and noticings of the students.
My students won’t become writers just because I want them to be writers. Writers need to wallow in new information, time to let all the words, ideas and questions wash over them, connect with their schema, and let the new information become their own.
This year, our class motto has been “Push through the struggle.” Originally a mantra of one student, but quickly became the motto of the community. These are the words used to encourage each other to persevere in all learning tasks. The Slice Of Life Story Challenge was no exception!
#HilliardU brings the essential elements of professional development together in one event. First, Hilliard U is made up of presentations by teachers of various grade levels and subject areas, academic coaches, related arts teachers, administration and well-known professionals in our field. As participants, we design our day by choosing from a variety of breakout sessions offered or take advantage of a collaboration room to work with colleagues.
Thank you, Highlights Foundation, for this generous prize. Your support of our writing community is so deeply appreciated by us and our readers.
Writing is only one part of what makes this community strong. Our community would exist without the generosity of your writing AND comments.
For this, we want to reward you by offering an incredible opportunity! This weekend, we aim to demonstrate our appreciation of this community with our second Commenting Challenge.
If you’re participating in the CLASSROOM Slice of Life Story Challenge, this is where you share your writing.
If you’re participating in the CLASSROOM Slice of Life Story Challenge, this is where you share your writing. Welcome to Day 4 of the 4th Annual Slice of Life Story Challenge … Continue Reading Day 4 Slice of Life Story Challenge Classroom
If you’re participating in the CLASSROOM Slice of Life Story Challenge, this is where you share your writing.
One of the most exciting things about participating in the Slice of Life Story Challenge is the community. Writers of all ages need to feel that connection with other writers.
Welcome to Day One of the Classroom Slice of Life Story Challenge!
When @cathymere first asked if I planned to participate in the 30 days writing challenge my answer was, “Yes! My class will love the idea of a challenge, and they write every day in our writing workshop, so why not!” After my rather impulsive “Yes” I reflected on the writers in my class and began wonder what this challenge would look like in our classroom.
We come together in the interest of supporting and celebrating the student, it’s important to help parents see the work of their child on a deeper level.
It’s difficult to consider yourself a writer isn’t it? As I read the post in this series I related to each of my co-author’s posts. Considering yourself a reader seems natural to many of us; but calling yourself a writer is personal and difficult.
