Are you planning to host a Slice of Life Story Challenge (SOLSC) in your classroom during the month of March? If so, here are some basic tools to launch it this-coming Sunday, 3/1/09. #1) Send home an announcement about the SOLSC this week. Here's an example of the one I'm sending home, which looks a… Continue reading Gearing Up for the Classroom Part of the Slice of Life Story Challenge
Author: Stacey Shubitz
Stacey Shubitz is a K-6 literacy consultant and former elementary teacher. She is the author of CRAFT MOVES and other professional books on writing workshop. Her forthcoming book, MAKE THE SCHOOL SYSTEM WORK FOR YOUR CHILD WITH DISABILITIES (Guilford Press, 2026), empowers parents to navigate the special education system.
Well-Defined
Salinger's book Well Defined: Vocabulary in Rhyme provides me with a way to teach my students vocabulary and poetry simultaneously. I'm passionate about both, which is why I was so excited to get my hands on this book yesterday. Each poem contains a title (the word) and a definition at the bottom of each page,… Continue reading Well-Defined
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Punctuation Is NOT An Editing Tool: It’s a Crafting Tool!
I started reading Dan Feigelson's Book Practical Punctuation: Lessons on Rule Making and Rule Breaking in Elementary Writing yesterday. It's the first time I've sat down and read a book on grammar and actually stayed awake. Seriously! Every other book I've read on teaching kids how to punctuate, use conventions properly, etc. has made my… Continue reading Punctuation Is NOT An Editing Tool: It’s a Crafting Tool!
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Vocabulary
Michael F. Graves's Book The Vocabulary Book: Learning & Instruction asserts that increasing a child's vocabulary makes him/her a stronger writer (43). He states: The goal is to get students to realize that the words they use in their writing are very important, that the words they use will affect both clarity of what they… Continue reading Vocabulary
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SOLSC Drawing
Watch the video to find out who will be receiving the coaster from reChinafication. Click here to view the video. If you're the winner, then please e-mail me your address.
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Link Your Slice of Life Story Here!
The month-long Slice of Life Story Challenge is two weeks away. However, if you stopped by to submit the link to the Slice of Life Story you wrote for today, then Ruth and I have yet another little surprise for you. One lucky participant in today’s Slice of Life Story Challenge will receive a little… Continue reading Link Your Slice of Life Story Here!
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Writerly Things to Do on February Break
Are you off from work this week? Are you looking for ways to nurture your inner writer? If so, then here's a little list I made, which may (or may not) appeal to you. TODAY: Write a Memoir Monday Post. TUESDAY: Participate in the Slice of Life Story Challenge. WEDNESDAY: Do any planning you may… Continue reading Writerly Things to Do on February Break
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Memoir Monday
It's that time of the week again! Please link your memoir-ish post to this one by leaving a comment.
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Catching Up on Education News
What's the news? If you're wondering what's being discussed in education right now, take a look at Eduwonks' Post about the buzz in educational news.
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The Keys to Effective Instruction
Barbara J. Walker, President of the International Reading Association, wrote an open letter to President Obama in the February/March 2009 Issue of Reading Today, which I received in yesterday's mail. Points four and five, of her letter, specifically deal with what quality writing instruction looks like in classrooms. Walker's letter is well-worth a read by… Continue reading The Keys to Effective Instruction
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Hooray! Hooray! Today’s the 100th Day!!!
I used to think the 100th Day was bogus (when I started teaching). I didn't get it (probably because I never celebrated it as a kid). However, as the years went on, I've grown to LOVE the 100th Day of School. I have soooo much planned to do today, which includes a Poetry Friday Poem… Continue reading Hooray! Hooray! Today’s the 100th Day!!!
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Writerly Things That Happened at Lunchtime
Six of my students opted to stay up with me during lunch today. Two were under the weather and wanted to chill with me; two wanted to finish their reminder posters; the final two wanted to peruse New Moon for Girls to get ideas about writing their own article. Two of the five kids from… Continue reading Writerly Things That Happened at Lunchtime
