back to school · challenges · conventions · demonstration · engagement · handwriting · katie wood ray · Lester L. Laminack · mentor texts · parent involvement · personal narrative · writing workshop

Writing Workshop is Hard Work

Last Thursday, I endeavored to explain writing workshop to parents in my district at Parent University. As I drove home after the presentation, I felt unsettled, like there had been a gap in what the parents were hoping to learn and what I delivered. What would you be sure to include in a presentation to parents on writing workshop?

stamina · student engagement · writing workshop

Pump Up the Volume! -Part of #TWTblog’s Throwback Week

In this throwback week post, Beth Moore brilliantly shares great ideas to help students "pump up their volume"- just what my 3rd graders need!

personal narrative · writing workshop

Putting Feelings First with Personal Narratives

Beth's recent post inspired me to launch personal narratives by thinking about our feelings first.

mentor texts · professional development · writing workshop

Who’s Up For a TWT Voxer Book Club?

Are you a Voxer skeptic? Read on to find out how Voxer can enrich your teaching life and an opportunity to use Voxer with others in our TWT community.

blogging · creativity · motivation · writing workshop

Make Your Mark by Blogging!

I have plans, big plans, for my third grader writers this year. Topping the list is helping them to become bloggers.

assessment · back to school · punctuation · record keeping · Reflective Practice · writing workshop

Where Do We Go Next? Use a Checklist!

Do your on-demand writing samples go into a folder or do they help you plan your next steps?

back to school · family · olw · writing workshop

A Parent’s Guide To Writing Workshop

Back to School Night is around the corner! When it comes to writing workshop, what do we need families to know?

back to school · brainstorming · digital writing · heart maps · memories · NWP · sharing · writing workshop

Give Heart Maps a Rest! Try Writing Territory Maps

The heart map is a great tool for helping students find personally meaningful topics, but used year after year, it might feel a little stale. Writing territory maps is another option!

back to school · challenges · community · hopes and dreams · inspiration · writing workshop

Writing Mantras for the New School Year

What can we say to ourselves to affirm the power of writing? What words will help us move forward when the going gets tough? Thinking about class writing mantras...

blogging · bulletin boards · classroom environment · Creating Classroom Environments Blog Series · hopes and dreams · inspiration · mentor author · reading-writing connections · words of wisdom · writing workshop

Creating Classroom Environments: Places for Writers to Grow

Every summer I dream of my classroom. When considering my third grade writers, what do they need to grow and how can I provide classroom spaces for that?