Whenever I pull a small group for a lesson, there are some important guidelines I try to remember and follow.
Author: Melanie Meehan
I am the Writing and Social Studies Coordinator in Simsbury, CT, and I love what I do. I get to write and inspire others to write! Additionally, I am the mom to four fabulous daughters and the wife of a great husband.
Authentic Audiences for Students
Contests and publication opportunities for young writers have potential to motivate and inspire.
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Tools to have on hand for Small Group Instruction
In a recent post about small group instruction, I wrote about ways to group students who need instruction on a similar strategy. Sometimes, we form small groups ahead of time through careful planning. However, sometimes, we notice a few students grappling with a common concept or a group of students sign up for a seminar; developing… Continue reading Tools to have on hand for Small Group Instruction
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Insights from an Author and a Giveaway
Claudia Mills' newest book Write This down was released on September 27th. In a recent essay, she shares some of her processes and revision decisions as she worked through drafts to published copy.
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Ideas for planning Small Group Instruction
Small group instruction is a powerful way to reach and teach more students in your classroom!
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Setting Up Writing Partnerships
Like so many routines and procedures, the investment of time to establish successful, productive, independent partnerships is incredibly worthwhile!
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Getting to Know Writers
You can learn a lot about students when you give them a chance to tell you want they know!
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Straight From Students: Why Teachers Should Write
During the last week of school, I met with a group of fourth graders to have an end of the year reflective conversation. We can learn so much about what to do throughout they year by asking students to reflect and share what they found to be powerful. Many times, students are our very best… Continue reading Straight From Students: Why Teachers Should Write
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Maximizing the Adult Resources in Our Classrooms
Over the summer, a few of us at TWT all received questions about how to manage extra adults in the classroom. Today and tomorrow, Deb and I have begun our own little mini-series addressing this issue. Tomorrow, Deb will share important ways to make the classroom a place for everyone, emphasizing communication and management strategies.… Continue reading Maximizing the Adult Resources in Our Classrooms
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What Are Their Tools For Independence? Starting With What Matters Most
One of the most important questions I always have in the back of my head when I am working with students is how to ensure that the concept I am teaching will become a part of the students' independent repertoire. How can I tell that I am teaching the writer and not just enhancing the one… Continue reading What Are Their Tools For Independence? Starting With What Matters Most
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Have Charts, Will Travel. Mentor texts? Even better!
My last post was about some of the reflections that I want to remember when I teach any genre of writing, but I also wanted to share more of our poetry workshop and some of the amazing poems students wrote during our time by the lake. Teaching poetry in an outdoor education setting to fifth-grade students is… Continue reading Have Charts, Will Travel. Mentor texts? Even better!
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Respect, React, and Write–My Three Reflections
Three important reflections inspired by teaching poetry to fifth-grade writers
