There are many ways to teach a minilesson effectively. Many people think inquiry minilessons are stickier than demonstrations since kids "discover" things on their own. As a result, learning stays with kids longer since they've come to the learning on their own.
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.
SOL Tuesday
Please read today's announcements before leaving the link to your post especially if you're planning to participate in the 6th Annual Classroom Slice of Life Story Challenge with your students.
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New Blog Series: Beyond the Fundamentals of Writing Workshop
Our new blog series, Beyond the Fundamentals of Writing Workshop, begins today. This series is for experienced workshop teachers who wish to push the limits on traditional teacher/student parameters so their writing workshops will become more student-centered. This post contains a preview of what's to come in our posts this week plus information about a book giveaway we're hosting as part of this blog series.
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Overview of the 11th Annual Slice of Life Story Challenge
Calling all educators! Whether you’re thinking about joining our writing community or coming back for your eleventh March writing challenge, please take a few minutes to read this post.
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Comforting Picture Books + Giveaways
These books serve to comfort children during what is a serious and uncertain time. After reading this post, leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of all five books.
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Thinking About Audience
Last month, Rebekah O'Dell tweeted out a link to a piece written by NY Times Columnist, Nicholas Kristof. I read through Kristof's "My Worst Columns" piece and was shocked his annual holiday gift guide was one of his lowest-read columns of 2017. I've been reading Kristof's columns for years and look forward to his annual gift guide,… Continue reading Thinking About Audience
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Stacey’s OLW for 2018
[Humanity] has unquestionably one really effective weapon—laughter. Power, money, persuasion, supplication, persecution—these can lift at a colossal humbug—push it a little—weaken it a little, century by century, but only laughter can blow it to rags and atoms at a blast. Against the assault of laughter nothing can stand. — Mark Twain
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Plan Boxes as Management Tools
Do you struggle with students working -- rather than socializing -- during independent writing time? If so, here's a solution to keep your kids engaged as writers so you can maximize the number of students you meet with during independent writing time.
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Don’t Skimp on the Compliment.
Mark Twain once said, "I can live for two months on a good compliment." While our students should regularly receive compliments from their teachers, good ones can fuel their ambition and willingness to stretch themselves as writers.
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ICYMI: TWT’s Homework Mini-Series
Last week, we hosted a mini-series on homework and the role it plays in elementary and middle school writing workshops.
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Nightly Writing: Homework and the Writing Workshop
Four ways to encourage students to write after the school day is finished WITHOUT assigning writing as homework.
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Conventions & Presentation: Solving Predictable Problems
Proper use of conventions and the aesthetics of writing pose unique challenges in an elementary writing workshop. Here are solutions to eight predictable problems you may be facing with your students.
