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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.
Stacey’s MM Post
I remember giggling about it with my cousin Jared about three years ago. I remember shaking my head in disbelief when I heard her say, "This is going to be my last trip to Paris." I remember telling my great-aunt, straight to her face, that I didn't believe a word she said. She smiled and… Continue reading Stacey’s MM Post
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READING/WRITING CONNECTIONS: If you want to teach writing really well, know a few picture books really well and use them when you confer.
On the final day of the Writing Institute, both Carl and Lucy spent some time reiterating the importance of knowing a few texts REALLY WELL so you can use the same book with many students (rather than needing several books for each unit of study). That is, figuring out how a text, such as a… Continue reading READING/WRITING CONNECTIONS: If you want to teach writing really well, know a few picture books really well and use them when you confer.
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Qualities of Good Writing
I spent last week at the Teachers College Writing Institute. I was lucky enough to get into advanced sections with Carl Anderson and Lucy Calkins, who both pushed my thinking. With 103 pages of notes from five days at T.C., I'll be writing about what I learned as I synthesize it in the days and… Continue reading Qualities of Good Writing
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An Idea from the TeachingHeart Listserv
I've been subscribing to the TeachingHeart K-4 Listserv for the past few months. I found a neat idea on it when it arrived in my inbox an hour ago. It involves using VistaPrint to create parent reminders, magnets, brochures, etc. for students and their families. Check out what a North Carolina Teacher created for school-to-home… Continue reading An Idea from the TeachingHeart Listserv
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A Charge for 7/14’s Memoir Monday
If you're looking for inspiration for this-coming MEMOIR MONDAYS CHALLENGE, then here is something to get your mind going: Think of a "mundane" family story that holds meaning or value to you and write about it this-coming Monday. It could be a story that's been told many times, but never written down OR it could… Continue reading A Charge for 7/14’s Memoir Monday
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Stop & Look Around You: THAT’S WHAT WRITERS DO!
I attended the Teachers College Summer Institute on the Teaching of Writing last week. I'll be blogging about it A LOT in the days (probably weeks, since I have about 100 pages of notes) to come. One thing that strikes me is that nearly every instructor echoed the same message: you need to pay attention… Continue reading Stop & Look Around You: THAT’S WHAT WRITERS DO!
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Ad Copywriting: A (New) Unit of Study Possibility
Kids watch commercials on television all of the time. Most of the children I know can recite the jingles they hear on both television and on the radio. However, I've never thought of giving kids the chance to write advertisement copy until I was staring over a friend's shoulder today. My friend was showing me… Continue reading Ad Copywriting: A (New) Unit of Study Possibility
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Poetry Friday: A Poem About Strength
. The Eagle and The Bear is a poem by David J. Pipkin. After having a trying day yesterday, this poem, which seems to be about strength, seemed appropriate for Poetry Friday. The Eagle and the Bear The eagle's strength to compare that of the bear this is how they fair the bear can rip… Continue reading Poetry Friday: A Poem About Strength
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Revision a la Wordle
I decided to put everyone's definitions of revision together using Wordle. Click on the image to enlarge. If you like this image, feel free to use it, alongside or in addition to the amazing definitions people left this past Tuesday. Thanks to the following people for helping define revision: Ruth Ayres Bryan Angelo and Bridget… Continue reading Revision a la Wordle
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Ralph Fletcher on Memoir
I had the privilege of hearing Ralph Fletcher speak about writing memoir today. He said a few things that resonated with me about why we write memoir and about how to create memorable memoirs. Here are the most salient points I gathered from Fletcher's talk: Memoir allows us to revisit things that happened to us… Continue reading Ralph Fletcher on Memoir
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The Truth is what matters when we write. (The “T” is capitalized for a reason.)
Ruth and I have were recently talking about the truth in our writing. We both recognized that honesty matters when we write. Writing is empty and vacant without the expression of honest emotions, isn't it? Yesterday, when I met up with my former student, Elaine, and her family we talked about having writing territories and… Continue reading The Truth is what matters when we write. (The “T” is capitalized for a reason.)
