AuthorStacey Shubitz

Literacy Consultant. Author. Former 4th and 5th Grade Classroom Teacher.

Paint a Portrait with Words

Jen Bryant is a biographer whose recently released picture book, Above the Rim, is a worthy mentor text. Jen stops by TWT to chat with Stacey about some of the most important things kids can keep in mind when they’re researching and writing stories about famous people or everyday heroes. Watch the interview, look through some excerpts from her newest picture book biography, and then leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Above the Rim: How Elgin Baylor Changed Basketball.

Posted 1 month ago11 Comments blogging

Adapting to Our New Reality

The 2020-21 school year is one of those times that we must adapt, adjust, and rearrange our lives to fit with our new reality.

Posted 2 months ago2 Comments COVID-19

Three Quick Tips for Maximizing Time at the Beginning of a Virtual Writing Workshop

Students in digitial writing workshops need to be focused and ready from the moment they enter the remote classroom space. Here are three tips you can use with your students to get writing workshop underway so you don’t lose time waiting for students to arrive, find pencils, etc.

Posted 2 months ago71 Comments craft

10 Books Celebrating Black Joy and Daily Life

While books about oppression, struggle, and suffering are of critical importance to read and discuss with children, so are books about Black joy and about the daily lives of Black children. I’ve curated a list of ten new (i.e., published in 2019 and 2020) texts that focus on Black people living life. Depending on who your students are, these books could serve as mirrors, windows, and/or sliding glass doors.

Posted 3 months ago10 Comments community

Seen, Valued, Heard: Providing Feedback AFTER Establishing Community

If your fall instruction plan includes any kind of virtual teaching, then building and maintaining relationships will be more crucial than ever. In order to engage and motivate students, educators must work to genuinely connect with students before focusing on academics.

Posted Wednesday May 27, 20203 Comments COVID-19

Reimagine Tools for Summertime Writing

Many of us will be satisfied if kids choose to JUST WRITE this summer. However, for the students who are ready to do more than just write, we can provide them with a nudge to transform tools they’ve leaned on during the school year so they can become updated tools for at-home, independent use this summer.

Posted Sunday May 10, 2020 Author Spotlight Series

Announcing the 5th Annual #TWTBlog Author Spotlight Series

For the next seven days, published picture book, middle-grade, and professional book authors will take over #TWTBlog to share their thoughts on writing, their writing processes, and the path to publishing with you.
Check out their daily posts for book + author chat giveaways!

Posted Wednesday April 29, 20202 Comments conventions

Using Personal Editing Checklists At-Home

Many caregivers believe that grammar, usage, mechanics, and spelling is what matters most when reading their child’s writing. Children’s writing should be readable, not perfect. What matters most RIGHT NOW is that kids are engaging in the act of putting words on the page or on a screen. Therefore, we can teach young writers how to use a personal editing checklist to help them make their writing more readable anytime they finish crafting a piece of writing.

Posted Wednesday April 15, 20206 Comments COVID-19

Engage Striving Writers by Keeping a Notebook During the COVID-19 School Closures

Brevity, choice, and routine matter when you’re trying to encourage a reluctant writer to put words on the page when you’re engaging in remote schooling.

Posted Monday March 16, 202032 Comments COVID-19

What to Expect from the #TWTBlog Team During COVID-19 Extended School Closures

I’m not sure what next week or next month will look like, but I can tell you what to expect from our team of co-authors, contributing writers, and guest bloggers as we seek to navigate this unprecedented time.

Posted Monday March 9, 202082 Comments Maribeth Boelts

A Review of Kaia and the Bees

Kaia and the Bees is a picture book you can use as a mentor text in narrative writing units. The book contains many craft moves, which makes it perfect for using in minilessons, writing conferences, and strategy lessons. Learn more about the book and take a peek inside of it.

Posted Friday March 6, 2020234 Comments Slice of Life Story Challenge

DAY 6 OF THE MARCH SOLSC! #SOL20

Write. Share. Give.

Posted Thursday March 5, 2020245 Comments Slice of Life Story Challenge

DAY 5 OF THE MARCH SOLSC! #SOL20

It’s day five of our month-long writing challenge. Time for you to write, share. and give!

Posted Wednesday March 4, 2020248 Comments writing workshop

DAY 4 OF THE MARCH SOLSC! #SOL20

Write. Share. Give.
Today’s the first day we’re doing a mid-month prize. Check out the details in the body of the post.

Posted Tuesday March 3, 2020259 Comments Slice of Life Story Challenge

DAY 3 OF THE MARCH SOLSC! #SOL20

Write. Share. Give.
And, while you’re add it, pick up some Slicer Swag! All proceeds from our Cafepress store are donated to the Pajama Program.

Posted Monday March 2, 2020276 Comments Slice of Life Story Challenge

DAY 2 OF THE MARCH SOLSC! #SOL20

It’s the second day of our 31-day writing challenge. Join us by writing your slice of life story, sharing the link to it in the comments section, and giving comments to at least three other Slicers.

Posted Sunday March 1, 2020300 Comments Slice of Life Story Challenge

DAY 1 OF THE MARCH SOLSC! #SOL20

March has arrived, which means it’s time for our month-long writing challenge.
Please take a few minutes to listen to the YouTube announcement and flip through the embedded PPT for some essential information about the Challenge.

Posted Tuesday February 25, 202057 Comments Slice of Life Story Challenge

The Final SOL Tuesday Before Our Month-Long Writing Challenge Begins #SOL20

March is almost here!
Please check out the announcements before you share the link to your slice of life story today.

Posted Tuesday February 18, 202039 Comments Slice of Life Story Challenge

SOL Tuesday & Expanding Our Writing Community #SOL20

Have you intentionally and effectively expanded this writing community? If you are planning to invite a friend, family member, or colleague to join you for the Slice of Life Story Challenge this March, then you’ll want to read this post closely before you leave the link to your slice of life story.