This time of year is a frenzied leap from task to task, without the joy or benefit of reflection. So, for today’s “From the Archive” post, I thought I’d slow myself down long enough to explore ways to savor and enjoy these last days with my students. Enjoy!
Author: Lainie Levin
Reclaiming Joy in Writing: An Update
In the spring of 2022, I started a writing initiative in my district. With a cohort of dedicated teachers, we worked to instill joy, foster independence, and create writing community. Where are we now?
Day 19 of the March SOLSC #SOL24
Write, share, give. It's been a pleasure to host the Challenge these last few days!
Day 18 of the March SOLSC #SOL24
Write, share, give. And if you're up for a push, give yourself a challenge!
Day 17 of the March SOLSC #SOL24
It's lucky day 17 of the 17th challenge! Write, share, give, play.
Day 16 of the March SOLSC #SOL24
Write, share, give. And if you're stuck thinking of a Slice...make THAT your Slice!
Day 15 of the March SOLSC #SOL24
Write, share, give. And if you speak languages other than English, consider posting for Multilingual Friday!
Day 14 of the March SOLSC #SOL24
Write, share, give, and most of all...engage! Let the comment section be a place for community and friendship.
Crowdsourcing: Straight from the Classroom
I’ve used crowdsourcing in writing instruction here and there, but this was the first project I designed and taught using the strategy as a foundation for our work. The verdict? Crowdsourcing improves writing and engages students. In this post, I’ll share our process, and I hope others will find ideas and inspiration.
Oral Language: Build your Expertise Blog Series
When judging the effectiveness of oral language in my instruction, it's one thing to consider anecdotal evidence. It's another to rely on data to demonstrate I'm engaging in best practice. Fortunately, empirical research supports oral language as a component of writing instruction. and there are ways of incorporating that knowledge into teaching.
The Dissatisfaction Spectrum: Gearing Up for Persuasive Writing
Persuasive writing is a powerful tool for writers. It allows them to recognize and articulate those feelings, and creates an avenue for expression, empowerment, and change in the community. Some students need scaffolding when it comes to thinking about issues or problems. Using the dissatisfaction spectrum is one way to bring students in touch with their emotions and identify the topics that matter most in their lives.
Vocabulary Games: From The Archive
My search through the archives led me to a series of articles on vocabulary and word games. What better way to incorporate word work and keep a sense of fun in our writing workshop? Here are activities and ideas I look forward to trying in the coming weeks. I hope you’ll enjoy them, too!