slice of life · Slice of Life Story Challenge

It’s time to share your slices.

Please link the Slice of Life Story you write today to this post by leaving a comment. Be sure to check out other bloggers’ writing by clicking through the links in the comment section of this post. Come back later today (or even tomorrow) to read through the links of a few other Slicers who… Continue reading It’s time to share your slices.

lucy calkins · writing workshop

Your Dreams Matter. Your Teaching Matters.

A couple of weeks ago I was re-reading the chapter about genre studies in The Art of Teaching Writing, New Edition (Heinemann, 1994) by Lucy Calkins. Once I was finished, I flipped to the final chapter of Lucy's book, which is entitled "Do I Dare to Care So Much?" I was looking for inspiration. (In… Continue reading Your Dreams Matter. Your Teaching Matters.

common core · content-area writing · informational writing · mentor texts · poetry

The Intersection of Poetry and Informational Writing + a Giveaway

When Thunder Comes: Poems for Civil Rights Leaders can be used as a mentor text to help students craft poems, instead of biographies or informational reports, about people they read about and research.

Slice of Life Story Challenge

Tuesday Slices

I've been reading Lynne Dorfman and Rose Cappelli's new book, Poetry Mentor Texts: Making Reading and Writing Connections, K-8.  They have a reminder, on page five of their book, that is worthy of repeating today and every day: As a teacher of writers, it is important to be a teacher who writes.

celebration · holiday · miniseries: taking care of yourself and others · scheduling

Be more than busy. Be productive. Be happy.

Seven tips to help you get and stay more productive during the holiday season and all year long.

thankful · writing

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thank a family member, friend, or colleague for a small kindness they've extended to you. While a text message or an e-mail is nice, a handwritten note or live conversation (i.e., in person, via Skype/Facetime, or on the telephone) is even better.

quote · Slice of Life Story Challenge

The Weekly SOLSC

Here are some quotes about writing to serve as inspiration for your writing today or for the writing you will do in the week to come: •“Walk through life like a writer.”  --Lucy Calkins •“Tell the truth about your life and what’s really going on.”  --Georgia Heard •“We know the truth of ordinary life events. … Continue reading The Weekly SOLSC

charts · giveaway · Kristi Mraz · Marjorie Martinelli · tcrwp

The Art and Science of Chart Making + A Giveaway

I started thinking deeply about the significance of classroom charts once I spent a week with Kristi Mraz who led a section, “Toolkits, Charts and other Resources That Support Writers in Revision and Writerly Craft,” at the writing institute back in 2011.  Kristi, along with her TCRWP colleague Marjorie Martinelli, started a blog in 2011… Continue reading The Art and Science of Chart Making + A Giveaway

slice of life · Slice of Life Story Challenge

The Call for Slice of Life Stories

blogging · celebration

Two Million

I am thankful for every person who has found their way to our blog. I’m thankful to those who have offered advice, kind words, inspiration, and support through the years. It’s because of you, our readers and fellow educators, that we continue to blog day after day. Thank you for helping us to reach this special occasion in our blogging lives.

conferring · reluctant writers · strategic conferring · struggling writers

Working Together to Help Struggling Writers

I'm working on a presentation, "Getting Started with Writing Workshop," for a group of 3rd - 6th grade teachers I'll be working with later this month. I've made a list of non-negotiables I'm going sharing with them.  They range from writing is taught daily to kids need time to write to students need to go… Continue reading Working Together to Help Struggling Writers

mentor texts

An Interview with the Author of The Tooth Mouse + a Giveaway

The Tooth Mouse, written by Susan Hood and illustrated by Janice Nadeau, is a fable that allows young readers to learn about another country's version of the Tooth Fairy. The Tooth Mouse is ready to move on and Sophie, who is a dear little mouse has to prove that she is honest, brave, and wise… Continue reading An Interview with the Author of The Tooth Mouse + a Giveaway