Slice of Life Story Challenge

Day 27 of the March SOLSC! #SOL22

It's Day 27. . . Can you see the finish line in sight? We're getting closer! We hope you'll join us today for the Slice of Life Story Challenge.

Slice of Life Story Challenge

Day 26 of the March SOLSC! #SOL22

Welcome to Day 26 of the Slice of Life Story Challenge! We are so happy you are here!

lessons learned from students · poetry · reluctant writers · writer identity

The Power of Writing Identity

I was in a fifth grade classroom in February during writing workshop, and a student flagged me down, eager to share her work. Now this is a student who (historically), I have been much more likely to encounter reading on the sly than writing during workshop. 

teacher-as-writer

It’s not Magic (but it IS): The Power of Being a Teacher who Writes

Kids are savvy. They can tell when a teacher really writes versus when a teacher talks about writing as a hypothetical endeavor (that only exists in the real lives of people still in school). There is a distance that can only be closed when it is two writers side-by-side, talking the talk (and walking the walk) of writers.

Maximizing Writing Time Blog Series · plan · writing workshop

Begin With Strong Planning: Maximizing Writing Time Blog Series

Actually doing the work of writers is where writers strengthen their skills—and this takes at least two thirds of the total minutes in any workshop. The more clear we can be while unit planning, the more strategic our instructional time will be, leaving more time for writers to write.

agency · authentic assessment · choice · formative assessment · Joy · student engagement · writing process · writing workshop

(Re-)Launching our Writing Workshops With Joy in January

As I think about returning to school, I want to be excited about the week to come. I want students to feel happy to be back together. Writing workshop is my favorite part of the day, and it’s the perfect place to infuse some intentional joy for all of us. I have a two part plan to do just that.

lesson plans · small group

Are we Cutting the Right Corners?

No wonder teachers are stressed. Some of the habits that we think are saving us time are having the opposite effect on our mental health and wellness. Writing it down is the equivalent of setting it down—what a relief!

Expanding the Reach with Small Group Work Blog Series · writing workshop

Pattern-Seeking Strategies to Optimize Efficiency and Effectiveness: Expanding the Reach With Small Group Work

Pattern-seeking is one of the ways that I keep planning for small group instruction manageable in writing workshop. When I can both anticipate common needs and plan for ways to learn which kids share those needs ahead of time, then I can be much more strategic and efficient with small group instruction.

modeling · think aloud

Modeling as Eavesdropping on a Writer’s Inner Monologue

The power of modeling—modeling the verb—is the opportunity to make not just the product visible—model, the noun—but the thinking of the writer visible as well. Without modeling the thinking, it is still a bit of a mystery how a writer gets from point A to point B—no matter how clear that point B might be. 

agency · process · student engagement · writer identity · writing process · writing workshop · writing workshop routines

Mining the Moments Between Minilesson and Work Time

In those quick moments between minilesson and work time, as writers are settling in (or not), I pay attention to what is—the current reality. I seek leverage points to both know writers better and to support writers in continuing to grow. Over time, I notice as more and more writers find the processes and strategies that work for them.

Slice of Life Story Challenge

Tuesday Slice of Life Story Challenge

Five Tuesdays in the month of August means five opportunities to write, share, and give!

Slice of Life Story Challenge

Tuesday Slice of Life Story Challenge

It's Tuesday! Time to write, share, and give.