I've been working in a third grade classroom.  The class began the year with a focus on oral storytelling.  Recently they started their writers' notebooks.  We're now moving into their first writing project of the year.  Like most Writing Workshops, this unit focuses on the process writers use when working toward publication. In order to… Continue reading Teaching the Writing Process

A few changes that you will see around Two Writing Teachers since summer is over, school has started, and we are in the thick of writing our book. There will be at least one post each day, Monday through Friday.  Weekends are optional.  🙂 We will no longer host Memoir Monday.  Please plan on joining… Continue reading FYI

Last week Mrs. V asked about how best to use instructional assistants.  Then Stacey asked her for clarification and Mrs. V wrote: With instructional assistants I mean classified staff adults in the classroom. I have heard some people also call them aides or paraprofessionals. Is that enough clarification? I have an instructional assistant two days… Continue reading Back to School Week: Instructional Assistants

Inspired by Friday's "Living Like a Writer" post, I took a few moments to slow down and make a list of gratitudes when it comes to my teaching life.  To kick off Back to School Week, won't you do the same thing?  Then take a few minutes and leave a comment with your three favorite… Continue reading Back to School: I’m Thankful . . .

Next week will be a week where we celebrate returning to school.  It is our vision to use the week to answer questions or elaborate on ideas that are most pressing to our readers.  We'd love to know what's on your mind . . . so please leave a comment or take the poll (or… Continue reading Back to School Week.

So much of writing is living.  The actual putting of words to paper is only a small fraction of what it means to be a writer.  For us in the Midwest, school is in full swing and life is busy.  Teachers feel pressure, students feel pressure, administrators feel pressure, parents feel pressure . . .… Continue reading Living Like a Writer: Slow Down.

As I was finding links for the last post, I came across this announcement on Heinemann's website: Congratulations to Penny Kittle! She has won the 2009 NCTE’s James N. Britton Award for Write Beside Them. Penny will receive the Britton Award on November 20th at NCTE’s annual conference in Philadelphia. For the complete announcement, click… Continue reading Congratulations Penny Kittle!

I have loved Wednesdays this summer on Two Writing Teachers.  Lately Stacey has been blogging on Wednesdays and I've been envisioning my post for one of my recent favorite books from the field.   For those who are regular readers, it won't come as a surprise that it is by Penny Kittle.  Her book, Public Teaching:… Continue reading Need inspiration? Check out this book!

Welcome to Memoir Monday.  Those who are regulars, we are looking forward to reading your memories as you record them and share them today.  If you are new to Two Writing Teachers, or a Memoir Monday rookie, we would love to have you join us.  Here are two simple ways to dip your toes into… Continue reading Memoir Monday

I live with a three year old.  Sometimes he becomes obsessive about a book.  He'll get on a streak and only want the same story read over and over and over -- many times a day for many days in a row.  The current obsession is David Shannon's A Bad Case of Stripes.   At first… Continue reading Mentor Texts: The Importance of Rereading