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.
mentor texts

Experimenting with Leads

Stacey Shubitz13 Comments

I spent last week doing some prep work for the graduate course I'll be teaching this summer.  By prepping I mean reading journal articles and rereading Mentor Texts (Stenhouse, 2007) by Lynne Dorfman and Rose Cappelli.  Chapter five of Mentor Texts focuses on "creating powerful beginnings and satisfying endings."  Sound like something you've taught your… Continue reading Experimenting with Leads

feedback · Slice of Life Story Challenge

Another little challenge, of sorts

Stacey Shubitz26 Comments

During the first week of this year's month-long SOLSC, I noticed someone posted around 10 or 11 p.m. and remarked that no one ever comments on late-night posters.  My heart sunk.  How frustrating it must be to have one's writing go unnoticed just because you're a pre-bedtime writer! I've been trying to make a concerted… Continue reading Another little challenge, of sorts

giveaway

Writing Streak Giveaway Winner

Stacey Shubitz

Congratulations to Dana, from She Writes Because, on her writing streak (15 days and counting!).  She will receive a copy of Thomas Newkirk's book, Holding On to Good Ideas in a Time of Bad Ones: Six Literacy Principles Worth Fighting For.  Many thanks to Heinemann for sponsoring this giveaway.

commenting

Solution: Commenting Issues

Stacey Shubitz9 Comments

Here's the response from the WordPress Staffer about the commenting issues several Slicers contacted us about: chrisrudzki Staff Mar 15, 2012, 10:29 AM Howdy, We've recently updated our commenting system. Now if someone tries to comment with an email address attached to a WordPress.com account, they'll need to sign into WordPress.com before they can comment.… Continue reading Solution: Commenting Issues

commenting

Having Trouble Posting a Comment?

Stacey Shubitz

Are you experiencing issues when you post a comment on our blog?  If so, you're not alone.  A couple of slicers emailed us last night to tell us they couldn't post a comment on yesterday's call for slices.  Therefore, I've checked the WordPress Forums to see what's happening and the good news is that it's… Continue reading Having Trouble Posting a Comment?

giveaway · Slice of Life Story Challenge

Writing Streak Giveaway

Stacey Shubitz67 Comments

If you're a Slicer who has written for at least ten consecutive days (including today), then this giveaway is for you!  Today's giveaway is a copy of Thomas Newkirk's 2009 book, Holding On to Good Ideas in a Time of Bad Ones: Six Literacy Principles Worth Fighting For.  Many thanks to Heinemann for sponsoring a giveaway… Continue reading Writing Streak Giveaway

lee bennett hopkins · ode · poetry · process

Talking Poetry with Lee Bennett Hopkins

Stacey Shubitz11 Comments

I've hiked alongside a black bear, who was fishing for salmon in a stream, in Alaska.  Maybe it was because I was with a group of people, but the bear didn't scare me.  Put me in the same room as an insect and I am no longer fearless.  In fact, if my husband is near… Continue reading Talking Poetry with Lee Bennett Hopkins

reflections · Reflective Practice · Slice of Life Story Challenge

Reflection

Stacey Shubitz31 Comments

On Friday afternoon, I spent some time reading and commenting on other writers' SOL stories.  As I made my way through various blogs, I noticed a couple of people (e.g., Zsofi from Grown Ups & Downs and Paul from Birds and Trees of the Mind) whose reflected on the writing they'd done during the Challenge,… Continue reading Reflection

giveaway · Slice of Life Story Challenge

Motivation Comes Through Comments

Stacey Shubitz16 Comments

Thank you to all of the first-time March Slicers who submitted kind words about fellow slicers whose comments have meant so much to them.  (If you missed the accolades, then click here to read them now.)  I'm delighted that in just a week's time this community has come together around the power of stories. Ramona… Continue reading Motivation Comes Through Comments

community · feedback · giveaway · Slice of Life Story Challenge

New Slicers Only: Who Is Motivating You as a Writer?

Stacey Shubitz41 Comments

Last month, I ran a post announcing the prizes for this year's Slice of Life Story Challenge.  I promised four prizes would be given away during the month of March. I hinted that the prizes would be given away based on commenting and writing streaks.  Well, today is the first of three prize giveaways and… Continue reading New Slicers Only: Who Is Motivating You as a Writer?

professional development · tcrwp

Saturday Reunion

Stacey Shubitz6 Comments

I was on the phone with my friend Christina the other day. I told her I was coming to New York later this month for the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project's Saturday Reunion.  She hasn't attended one of the summer institutes before so she was unfamiliar with who was reuniting.  While I think it… Continue reading Saturday Reunion

former students · poetry

Follow-Up: Leap Year Poem

Stacey Shubitz7 Comments

On Feb. 29th, 2008, I gave my fourth graders a copy of the "Leap Year Poem."  I asked them to hold on to the little slip of paper I printed it on and instructed them to e-mail me four years later.  I'm happy to report that four years later, they're in eighth grade and some… Continue reading Follow-Up: Leap Year Poem