Resume Writing
How many kids do you know that have resumes? Well, I now know five since I just helped to create resumes for five of my former students on Career Kids, … Continue Reading Resume Writing
Writing About Reading
I wrote the following in a reflection after hearing Ellin Oliver Keene speak at Teachers College on April 3rd, 2006. I think what I wrote then is worthy of mentioning … Continue Reading Writing About Reading
Poetry Friday: The Final Days of School
I put the following poem into my students’ fifth grade yearbook. The irony is that on the last day of school, which was two days ago, we DID do the … Continue Reading Poetry Friday: The Final Days of School
WN ENTRY: Kids on Leashes
Ralph Fletcher gives young writers 11 tips for things to collect in their writer’s notebooks. Fletcher encourages writers to notice the world around them and write about it. Here’s what … Continue Reading WN ENTRY: Kids on Leashes
Ch-ch-ch-changes
I asked my students how they’ve changed as writers from the beginning of the year until now. Here’s what a few of them said: In the beginning of the year … Continue Reading Ch-ch-ch-changes
Timelines and Writer’s Notebooks
I divided my kids up into ten groups today, printed out my Google Class Calendar, and asked them to work with a partner to organize and illustrate a month of … Continue Reading Timelines and Writer’s Notebooks
Acrostic Poetry
I did quite a bit with acrostic poetry this year since a huge pet peeve of mine is watching kids write meaningless acrostic poems in their writer’s notebooks just for … Continue Reading Acrostic Poetry
The Rules of Writing Poetry
One of my students, Allandra, just e-mailed me this morning. (She’s also a co-author of DEAL WITH IT! Powerful Words from Smart, Young Women. I’m not sure what prompted her … Continue Reading The Rules of Writing Poetry
Kids 12-19 Can Build A Writing Portfolio Online
I just noticed that you can also get published online with Scholastic’s WRITE IT Website. Submissions must be from children between ages 12 – 19.
Writing with Writers
I found a great section of Scholastic’s Website entitled “Writing with Writers,” which is a place devoted to helping kids learn how to write better by taking a workshop with … Continue Reading Writing with Writers
Poetry Friday
This poem makes me happy that it’s finally summertime! Sea Joy When I go down by the sandy shore I can think of nothing I want more Than to live … Continue Reading Poetry Friday
“An overuse of craft is cr*p!”
Author Lester Laminack taught a course I took at Teachers College during the 2006 Summer Institute on the Teaching of Writing. He said, “There’s only a letter or two that … Continue Reading “An overuse of craft is cr*p!”
Stacey’s WN Entry: A Special Relative
Fletcher suggests writing about a brother, sister, or special relative. Remember: think small. Focus on one aspect of that person, or one experience you had with him or her. Both … Continue Reading Stacey’s WN Entry: A Special Relative
Lunch Box Poetry
I had an idea in the shower this morning (the place of many wonderful thoughts). When I have kids I think I’m going to put a poem into their lunch … Continue Reading Lunch Box Poetry
Poetry Friday: Valerie Worth Poems
Some lovely small poems by Valerie Worth: chairs Chairs Seem To Sit Down On Themselves, almost as if They were people, Some fat, some thin; Settled comfortably On their own … Continue Reading Poetry Friday: Valerie Worth Poems
Stacey’s WN Entry: Special Place
Today’s WN Entry comes from Ralph Fletcher‘s Website. THE CHARGE: Special place: special room, attic nook, inside of a tree, scary closet. You might start by quickly sketching a map … Continue Reading Stacey’s WN Entry: Special Place
Stacey’s WN Entry: Artifact
Today’s WN entry comes from Ralph Fletcher’s Tips for Young Writers: Write about an artifact (arrowhead, ring, antique, etc.). Important objects in our lives often provide excellent material to write … Continue Reading Stacey’s WN Entry: Artifact
Fletcher’s Tips for Young Writers
Ralph Fletcher recently added more tips for children on his “Tips for Young Writers” Page, which is a collection of ideas for getting started on writing notebook entries, information on … Continue Reading Fletcher’s Tips for Young Writers
Summer Vacation Literacy Activites
ReadWriteThink, a partnership between IRA and NCTE, launched a brand new section of their website today, which focuses on summer literacy activities for children. The activities are broken down into … Continue Reading Summer Vacation Literacy Activites
Independent Writing Projects
I’m debating as to whether or not I should assign independent writing projects to my students before the end of the school year (which ends on 6/27). Part of me … Continue Reading Independent Writing Projects
TWO WRITING TEACHERS 