Pre-Unit Immersion: Involving Students in Noticing, Noting, and Naming

Wednesday November 16, 2022Thursday November 17, 2022 Melanie Meehan3 Comments

Immersion is helpful for strong writers who need less explicit instruction in order to try out new writing concepts as well as for writers who strive to complete their written work. Sometimes seeing a completed piece is exactly what they need in order to kick their executive functioning into gear.

agency · assessment · goals · Google Forms · self-assessment · small group · writing workshop

Student Agency, Self-Assessment, and Small Group Instruction

Friday November 11, 2022Sunday November 13, 2022 Melanie Meehan3 Comments

Nudging students toward self-assessment and goal-setting leads to students' increased understanding of what they are working on and why they're working on it. That intentionality is a critical aspect of learning!

IEP · Stronger Together: Involving Other Professionals in Your Workshop Blog Series · writing workshop

Working with Special Education Teachers: Stronger Together Blog Series

Tuesday November 1, 2022Wednesday June 25, 2025 Melanie Meehan3 Comments

Because I began my career as a special education teacher, I feel especially aligned to the professionals within our building who work with students with IEPs. Together, I’ve curated some of their ideas and suggestions as educators work together, inspiring and empowering all children to write.

agency · elaboration · goals · mentor texts · small group · teacher writing · writing workshop

A Small Group in Action: Elaboration Strategies, Here We Come!

Monday October 17, 2022Monday October 17, 2022 Melanie Meehan4 Comments

Having walked around a classroom of fourth-grade writers yesterday, I had pinpointed four writers who were all ready to think about elaboration strategies. This post describes the first session of a few to inspire these fourth-grade writers to use more elaboration strategies.