Time Away
Today is Labor Day so it feels like an appropriate time to temporarily sign-off since I’m expecting my second child later this month.
Author Archive
49 Comments
Stamina in Our Youngest Writers
Believe it or not, even four-year-old writers can work on their writing for 45 minute stretches of time! Here’s a peek into a preschool classroom to show you how stamina can increase throughout the school year.
Picture Books in Secondary Classrooms
Picture books are short, visual, and engaging, which makes them perfect for using as mentor texts with elementary AND secondary students.
Remembrance Ideas for the September 11th Anniversary
Educators from around the country share the ways in which they teach about September 11th to their students. This post includes programming and writing ideas, as well as links to videos and picture books you can read aloud.
Because Kids Need to See Themselves in Books: My #PB10for10
Today is Picture Book 10 for 10, which is a community of educators who share “must-have” picture books for classrooms. My list includes stories that will inspire children to write about their own experiences in new ways.
The Right to Write: Starting with What Matters Most
Like any other skill, children need long stretches of time to practice writing if they’re going to develop strong writing muscles. Seeing as muscles need to be used often to get bigger, it’s important teachers are providing kids with (four or) five times a week to engage in a writing workshop where they have at least 30 minutes of independent writing time.
Why Confer?
Six educators make the case for conferring with students regularly.
Writing with Emotion: A Review of Ida, Always
Ida, Always is a gentle and honest picture book for helping young children deal with and talk about loss. It’s also an excellent mentor text you can use in writing workshop.
Classroom Takeaways from #NJSCBWI16
Sharing some highlights from the New Jersey Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Annual Conference, which took place this past weekend.
SOL Tuesday + Some Announcements
Link-up to our weekly writing challenge right here.
Introducing Two New Co-Authors
We’re delighted to welcome two new writers to our #TWTBlog Co-Author Team.
ICYMI: Author Spotlight Series
Many thanks to Bob, Isabel, Julie, Lauren, Liz, Maribeth and Paula for sharing part of their writing lives with our community of teachers and writers this week. In case you missed any of their blog posts, this post contains links to each of their posts. Be sure to leave a comment on each of their blog posts by June 4th, 2016 for a chance to win one of their books.
SOL Tuesday
Write. Share. Give.
It’s SOL Tuesday!
It’s time to share your slice of life stories!
Teaching the Four Types of Writing Through Texts
Janiel Wagstaff’s books will help you teach primary writers about the four types of writing in an engaging way. Leave a comment on this post for a chance to win her series of Stella books.
SOL Tuesday
If it’s Tuesday, it’s writing time!
How to Choose & Mine Mentor Texts for Craft Moves: Teaching Writing with Mentor Texts
I’ve been researching and working with mentor texts for over a decade. Here’s how I choose them and mine them for craft moves to teach young writers.
SOL Tuesday + a Donation Update
Last year we opened a Cafe Press store for people interested in buying some Slicer swag. We received our commission from our store a couple of weeks ago and recently made another donation… Continue reading
Engaging with Preschool Writers
Last week, I encouraged a group of preschoolers to write books about their experiences. It went better than I expected.
Contributing Writers
After nearly three years of being outstanding collaborators on Two Writing Teachers, Anna Gratz Cockerille and Tara Smith have decided to transition from co-authors to contributing writers. To find out why and what that means, please read their words in this post.