slice of life · Slice of Life Story Challenge

Weekly SOLSC

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 Weekly SOLSC

character development

Connecting with Characters

My husband and I spent ten hours watching "The Newsroom" this summer.  We DVRed all of the episodes so we could watch them at our leisure.  By episode four I was hooked by the smart, fast-paced show created by Aaron Sorkin, who I think is a genius when it comes to writing dialogue.  After episode… Continue reading Connecting with Characters

slice of life · Slice of Life Story Challenge

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 Share your slices.

mentor texts · universal theme

Talking Writing with Tatyana Feeney

Small Bunny's Blue Blanket is one of my favorite new picture books, which I blogged about last week.  The main character is adorable.  He acts just like a little kid, but he's a rabbit.  Second, it's a versatile mentor text.  Third, the story has universal appeal for adults and children. Tatyana Feeney, author and illustrator… Continue reading Talking Writing with Tatyana Feeney

mentor texts · narrative · picture book

My WordFest Mentor Text Stack Is Growing!

I've been tinkering around with the picture books I'm going to bring when I speak at WordFest later this month.  My presentation focuses on using recently published picture books as mentor texts to teach students a variety of craft moves, which will lift the level of their narrative writing.   When I say recently, I… Continue reading My WordFest Mentor Text Stack Is Growing!

Maggie Beattie Roberts · reading · reading workshop · tcrwp · technology

Digital Text Bins

I learned about digital text bins when I took Maggie Beattie Roberts’s session “Tap the Power of Technology and Media to Teach Higher Level Comprehension” at this past summer’s Reading Institute.  Now that the leaves are changing color, it means that it’s time to start thinking about nonfiction reading in many classrooms.  (Yes, I know… Continue reading Digital Text Bins

Capital Area Writing Project · professional development · writing

Capital Area Writing Project’s Annual WordFest

Come and join the Capital Area Writing Project for its annual WordFest on Thursday evening, October 18th.  This year's theme is "Reading and Writing Now for Their Future."  The evening is a three-hour conference that celebrates writers and the teaching of writing.  There are sessions for all grade levels, including one I'm leading for elementary… Continue reading Capital Area Writing Project’s Annual WordFest

slice of life · Slice of Life Story Challenge

It’s time for the weekly SOLSC.

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 for the weekly SOLSC.

holiday

Shana Tova

Rosh Hashanah, which literally means "head of the year," marks the beginning of a new Jewish year. The year 5773 begins tonight at sundown. Ten days after Rosh Hashanah is Yom Kippur. This day of atonement is a time for Jews to fast and atone for their sins. The days that come in-between the two… Continue reading Shana Tova

craft · Maribeth Boelts · mentor texts · picture book · reading-writing connections

Craft Tables for You — Part III of III

This week I'm sharing the Happy Like Soccer craft table my graduate students created.  My students worked in partnerships to flesh out explanations for craft moves they identified in Maribeth Boelts's book on the second day of class.   I asked them to create a craft table with a partner for two reasons.  First, I… Continue reading Craft Tables for You — Part III of III

September 11th · september 11th tribute · slice of life · Slice of Life Story Challenge

Weekly SOLSC

Today is the 11th anniversary of the September 11th Attacks. It's hard to believe it's been over a decade since that horrible day, when everything started out right and ended so catastrophically. Today I plan to honor the memory of those who died by watching the media coverage and observing moments of silence. Later today… Continue reading Weekly SOLSC

interview · mentor texts

Chatting with Leigh Hodgkinson + a Giveaway

Ever since I was a little girl, I've loved books about bears.  Therefore, when I picked up Goldilocks and Just One Bear, which feels like the sequel to "Goldilocks and the Three Bears," I was giddy.  Leigh Hodgkinson's new book helped me to envision what became of some of my favorite fairy tale characters after… Continue reading Chatting with Leigh Hodgkinson + a Giveaway