olw · One Little Word (OLW) · writing workshop

Lisa’s OLW for 2017

Happy New Year to you, our Two Writing Teachers community. Beginning today, we co-authors will share our One Little Words for 2017. Somehow I ended up at the front of the line. "Breathe," I said to myself last month, when I realized I would be the first to post. This is my fourth time choosing a… Continue reading Lisa’s OLW for 2017

writing workshop

Watch and Notice–Part of #TWTBlog’s Throwback Week

Dana's post on the power of demonstration writing is one of my favorites. Writers love to see their teachers write, and teachers have a terrific platform for instructing using this technique.

writing workshop

‘Tis the Season… Where Did the Writing Go?

Maybe you teach in a school where all is calm during the weeks between the end of Thanksgiving weekend and the beginning of Winter break. I do not. (If you do, will you share your secret?) It is a busy time for most of us, both in and beyond school. All too often writing workshop… Continue reading ‘Tis the Season… Where Did the Writing Go?

writing workshop

Nurturing Our Notebook Work

On Tuesday evening I attended a lecture by Lydia Davis, an award winning writer whose published work includes short stories, essays, novels, and translations of a number of classics including Madame Bovary. Davis's lecture was titled, " Thirty Recommendations for Good Writing Practice." Whenever I listen to published writers speak about their process and practice,… Continue reading Nurturing Our Notebook Work

books · mentor texts · writing workshop

A Bike Like Sergio’s: Review and Giveaway!

Maribeth Boelts' new book A Bike Like Sergio’s will appeal to readers and writers of all ages. It’s a heartfelt story with a message to which readers will relate; the right decision is often the hard choice. From the publisher: "Ruben feels like he is the only kid without a bike. His friend Sergio reminds… Continue reading A Bike Like Sergio’s: Review and Giveaway!

Assessment Strengthens Writers Blog Series · writing workshop

Record Keeping- Why and How: Assessment Strengthens Writers

We teachers keep all kinds of records and notes- attendance records, records of the books our students read, records about math concepts mastered, and spelling words missed. Yet, many of us struggle to figure out the how and why of record keeping in writing workshop. If you don’t believe me, Google “record keeping in writing… Continue reading Record Keeping- Why and How: Assessment Strengthens Writers

writing workshop

My Ah-ha Writing Class

I’ve made my share of confessions here on this blog. I wrote about my struggle to keep a notebook here and here. There’s more. Now that school is in full swing, making time to write as often as I should, is hard. I write a lot, but not every day. I have two ideas that… Continue reading My Ah-ha Writing Class

writing workshop

And Just Like That, They Wrote

Last week, I wrote about the step back our kindergarten teachers took as they launched writing workshop this year. And I admitted to you that the children were not writing, they were drawing their stories. There were no words, not even letters, in their work. Their teachers were holding their breath, and we had begun… Continue reading And Just Like That, They Wrote

challenges · classroom environment · community · writing workshop

The Six Week Check-in

Many of us are fast approaching the sixth week of school. Many of us consider that the first of countless milestones in our school year. Six weeks in, routines are beginning to solidify, and we see signs of a coalescing community in our classrooms. Six weeks in, we  are building rapport and connections with our… Continue reading The Six Week Check-in

Slice of Life Story Challenge

It’s Slice of Life Tuesday!

WRITE a slice of life story on your own blog. SHARE a link to your post in the comments section. GIVE comments to at least three other SOL bloggers. Today's inspiration comes from a recent J. K. Rowling tweet.  I love this because I am reminded that I'm not alone when I struggle to select… Continue reading It’s Slice of Life Tuesday!