mentor texts · narrative · Q & A

Q&A with Patricia Polacco + a Giveaway

Patricia Polacco has long been one of my favorite children's authors. I've led author studies of her works with my former students in both reading and writing workshop. I have used books like Mrs. Katz and Tush and The Butterfly in my consulting work. She an author whose books take up a good deal of… Continue reading Q&A with Patricia Polacco + a Giveaway

Slice of Life Story Challenge

The Weekly Slice of Life Story Challenge

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 The Weekly Slice of Life Story Challenge

conventions · punctuation

How many exclamation points should one use to end a sentence?

I changed the way I used exclamation points as a result of reading Dan Feigelson's Practical Punctuation: Lessons on Rule Making and Rule Breaking in Elementary Writing. Prior to reading Feigelson's book I was guilty of using multiple exclamation points to express enthusiasm on students' papers and my excitement when crafting e-mails to other adults.  Tsk… Continue reading How many exclamation points should one use to end a sentence?

professional development · writing

Summer Writing Camp

My summers away at sleep away camp were some of the best of my life.  However, sleep away camp gave way to summer internships, which eventually gave way to jobs.  Ah, the passage of time and how our summers change!  Ssince 2005, I have spent at least one week of every summer engaged in professional… Continue reading Summer Writing Camp

Slice of Life Story Challenge

The Weekly Slice of Life Story Challenge

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 The Weekly Slice of Life Story Challenge

quote

Words from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Last week I traveled to Washington, DC for a family vacation.  While we were there we visited the Washington DC Martin Luther King National Memorial, which opened since our last trip to DC.  As I walked through the memorial, I paid close attention to the quotations on the inscription wall.  One of the quotes spoke… Continue reading Words from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

charter schools · interview · poetry · standardized tests

Talking with Taylor Mali + a Giveaway

On a tough day in the classroom, all of us have turned to Taylor Mali's poem "What Teachers Make" for some solace.  Last month Taylor published a book, What Teachers Make: In Praise of the Greatest Job in the World, which is the kind of book you want to have around when a tough day… Continue reading Talking with Taylor Mali + a Giveaway

lucy calkins · mentor texts · minilesson · narrative · tcrwp

What do you think of this minilesson?

I've been working on a few sample minilessons to give my grad students next month when I start teaching "Children's Literature in Teaching Writing."  I've been making tweaks to the traditional minilesson structure I've used in the past based on Lucy Calkins's session, "In the Complicated World of Today, What's Changed and What's Stayed the… Continue reading What do you think of this minilesson?

Slice of Life Story Challenge

The Weekly Slice of Life Story Challenge

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 The Weekly Slice of Life Story Challenge

commenting · conferring · speech

Raise Your Glass: The Making of a Wedding Toast

My brother-in-law is getting married this Sunday.  Marc, my husband, is his brother's best man.  As is tradition at most weddings, Marc will be delivering a toast at the reception. Last weekend Marc had a cohesive draft of the toast prepared.  He asked me for some feedback.  I read it through and was tempted to… Continue reading Raise Your Glass: The Making of a Wedding Toast

craft · Maribeth Boelts · mentor texts · writing process

An Interview with Maribeth Boelts + a Giveaway of Happy Like Soccer

Maribeth Boelts will be the visiting author for the graduate course I'm teaching about children's literature and the teaching of writing this summer.  I'm SO EXCITED to meet her in person since I've been corresponding with her through e-mail and Facebook for the past four years.  Her writing has served as a mentor for many… Continue reading An Interview with Maribeth Boelts + a Giveaway of Happy Like Soccer

writing workshop

The Weekly Slice of Life Story Challenge

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 The Weekly Slice of Life Story Challenge