I had a really great first day of work. I learned a lot. The first thing I learned is that fourth graders are way different than fifth graders. Here's what I mean. My new students were a bit confused by the bio poems. In the past, my fifth graders never had trouble with completing a… Continue reading Modeling Our Writing
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 new book, MAKE THE SCHOOL SYSTEM WORK FOR YOUR CHILD WITH DISABILITIES (Guilford Press, 2026), empowers parents to navigate the special education system.
First Day of School Poems
I'm up super-early today. Not because I live a gagillion miles from school, but because I'm so excited to meet my new class. Hence, in order to curb my nervous energy, I went searching for some poems for or about teachers. Just thought I'd post them here in honor of the first day of school.… Continue reading First Day of School Poems
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Taking the day off from setting up
I'm finished with my classroom physically (minus the library). Hence, I'm taking the day to stay at home, clean up my study, fold my sweaters in the closet, get my nails done, go to the gym, ironing, go food shopping, and relax. I'm not 100% sure about how much relaxation I'll have today, but I've… Continue reading Taking the day off from setting up
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Writing Center
My Classroom's Writing Center Originally uploaded by teachergal In the six-plus hours that I spent in my classroom today, I spent at least an hour tweaking the way the Writing Center looked. I think I finally got it right (and yes, I realize the kids will touch it and it won't look like this forever… Continue reading Writing Center
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Strategy Lesson and Conferring Coffee Table Area
Small Group Work Space or Coffee Clutch? Originally uploaded by teachergal When I moved from New York City to Rhode Island I brought some furniture with me that I knew I'd no longer use in my apartment. However, I thought it might be nice to put these items in my new classroom, which is exactly… Continue reading Strategy Lesson and Conferring Coffee Table Area
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Bio Poems: A great way to introduce yourself
I decided to have my students write Bio Poems on the first day of school this year in order to help them introduce themselves to me and vice versa. Like a "Where I'm From" Poem, this type of poem gives kids a "template" to use as a guide, which will help struggling writers with form.… Continue reading Bio Poems: A great way to introduce yourself
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Meeting Area: A Place to Deliver Minilessons
Last week I had the pleasure of going back to NYC to visit Christina L. Rodriguez, my former student teacher who took over my classroom after I moved to Rhode Island. She's going to be teaching fifth grade this fall in my former classroom. I was blown away by the (positive) changes Christina made to… Continue reading Meeting Area: A Place to Deliver Minilessons
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Twin Bubbles: Poetry Friday
As I was recopying some poems into my master writer's notebook, I came across this one, which I wrote alongside my students after doing some close observations of bubbles. TWIN BUBBLES An original poem by Me They float through the air like a passing cloud. Bobbing up and down -- twin bubbles joined together traveling… Continue reading Twin Bubbles: Poetry Friday
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New York State of Mind: The Last Poetry Thursday
Today's the last ever Poetry Thursday. 😦 I just returned from spending a few whirlwind days in New York City (New Jersey and Connecticut too). I packed up the last boxes and said a permanent good-bye to the apartment I called home for the past four (of the seven and a half) years I've lived… Continue reading New York State of Mind: The Last Poetry Thursday
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They can never say that they don’t know what to write about anymore!
Sample List Originally uploaded by teachergal Encourage your students to keep a list of things they can write about in their writer's notebooks (an idea I took from The No-Nonsense Guide to Teaching Writing by Judy Davis and Sharon E. Hill). Here's a page out of a former student's notebook. You can see the specificity… Continue reading They can never say that they don’t know what to write about anymore!
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Take a new teacher by the hand and PAY IT FORWARD!
Pay it forward! It wasn't just a movie and it's not just an expression in my world. Those three little words are ones I try to live by at work, on the open road, and in my personal life. If someone does something nice for me, then I thank them, but I ALSO try to… Continue reading Take a new teacher by the hand and PAY IT FORWARD!
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Drumroll please…
I took Cliff and Jen's advice and turned my time (after I recopied a bunch of poems though) into something productive for my students. I bought the Moleskine Cahiers at a Barnes & Noble Store yesterday since I realized I could use my Educator Discount since they were for my class. I personalized them, added… Continue reading Drumroll please…
