OLW Check In

Wednesday October 18, 2017Tuesday October 17, 2017 Kathleen Neagle Sokolowski7 Comments

What was your OLW and how did it treat you so far this year?

Powerful Punctuation!

Wednesday October 4, 2017Monday October 2, 2017 Kathleen Neagle Sokolowski12 Comments

Punctuation is a pesky problem. Third grade students often forget their punctuation, writing an entire story without a single period in sight. As I launched writing workshop this year, I've been looking for ways to show my students that punctuation can add voice and meaning to their piece of writing.

writing · writing workshop

An Invitation to Make Writing That Matters

Thursday September 28, 2017Wednesday September 27, 2017 Kathleen Neagle Sokolowski8 Comments

Teaching writing isn't easy. We can get lost in all that needs "fixing" in our students' work, lost in the standards and district curriculum maps, lost in the products we need to hang on a wall for a display. We find our way when our WHY is nearest to our hearts: Why do our students need to write well? How will writing play a role in their lives? How will writing make their lives more meaningful? What matters the most when it comes to teaching young writers?

back to school · writing workshop

Knowing My Writers

Wednesday September 20, 2017Monday September 18, 2017 Kathleen Neagle Sokolowski4 Comments

September is a get-to-know-you month. A community-building-ice-breaker-month. September is a settling-in month, a becoming-comfortable month, a building-relationship month. It's an ask-the-parents-about-their-child month. A stack of papers month. Artwork created month. September is a launching month, a set-the-vision month, a build-enthusiasm for the work ahead month. September is an exhausting month, but a month that reveals much about the 24 third graders who inhabit room 215 with me this year.

classroom environment · writing workshop

A Change Will Do You Good

Wednesday September 6, 2017Sunday September 3, 2017 Kathleen Neagle Sokolowski9 Comments

Changing things up can mean extra work and moving away from what you've always done. It can also breathe new life into spaces and might move you closer to what you are trying to achieve.

feedback · writing workshop

TWT Voxer Book Club 2.0

Wednesday August 23, 2017Friday August 18, 2017 Kathleen Neagle Sokolowski10 Comments

At the start of the summer, I read and reviewed Patty McGee's Feedback That Moves Writers Forward. It's a book, I believe, that can change my teaching of writing for the better...and maybe yours too. It's a book I want to dive into more deeply, rereading it and sharing my ideas with other educators in a book club. I know that the beginning of the school year is a challenging time to ask teachers to take on anything additional. But here I am anyway, inviting you to take part in a Voxer book club to discuss Feedback That Moves Writers Forward. So why should you?

growth mindset · plan book · Q & A · reflections · Reflective Practice · writing workshop

The Intentional Educator Planner (Giveaway)

Wednesday August 9, 2017Wednesday August 9, 2017 Kathleen Neagle Sokolowski122 Comments

I've always wanted to keep a reflective journal about my teaching but in the hustle and bustle of a busy school day, that seemed to be the first thing to go from list of "to-do's." I'm hopeful that having a place to reflect right in my plan book will encourage me to take time to write down my thoughts and ideas each week. The 2017-2018 Intentional Educator Planner will be just the place!

mentor texts · writing workshop · Writing Workshop Fundamentals blog series

Mentor Texts: Writing Workshop Fundamentals

Sunday August 6, 2017Monday August 14, 2017 Kathleen Neagle Sokolowski11 Comments

Today, in writing workshop, we intentionally teach students how to write by using authors as our co-teachers. As teachers, we write for and with our students, and our writing can show them the possibilities for their own pieces. We highlight student work too as a mentor text, creating a bridge from what students are currently doing to a more effective way of writing.