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.
Getting the Room Ready
I miss having a classroom of my own at this time of the year. There's something about putting up fadeless paper and borders, getting supplies ready, preparing the meeting area, and labeling books with students' names that I truly miss. Even though I'm fortunate to be working with a group of K-5 teachers this-coming week,… Continue reading Getting the Room Ready
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An Interview with Leslie Patricelli + Giveaways
About a month or two after my daughter was born, I posted several status updates on my Facebook page complaining about the quality of the board books we had. They were too short, with few if any words, and didn’t hold my attention. I know board books serve a legitimate purpose in a baby’s literacy… Continue reading An Interview with Leslie Patricelli + Giveaways
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Are plan boxes worth it?
This past Tuesday I spoke at the 8th Annual Pennsylvania Writing Institute, which is held at Millersville University. Since school begins at the end of August here (in Pennsylvania), I spent a great deal of time talking about routines so my audience could spend some time reflecting on their existing classroom routines and consider implementing… Continue reading Are plan boxes worth it?
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The Un-Perfect Classroom
I was one of three new kids in my bunk at camp in 1989. The rest of the girls who were in my bunk had been together for a few years and were known for getting perfect tens on daily bunk inspections. That summer, I was the kid who made my bunk get nines, rather… Continue reading The Un-Perfect Classroom
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Say What You Mean: Part Two
Tammi Myers wrote the following on our Facebook Page in response to the post I wrote on Tuesday: Sometimes we repeat jargon with the goal of being consistent with other grade levels- but that just gives us a class of kids who can parrot the terms with no real understanding. Tammi makes an excellent point. … Continue reading Say What You Mean: Part Two
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Say What You Mean: Part One
One September, I was creating a chart with my students about the things good writers do. They said things like "good writers write long and strong" and "they add details." I was initially impressed. These kids seemed to know some of the things it took to be a strong writer. But then, I conferred with… Continue reading Say What You Mean: Part One
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Say, Sketch, and Write
One of the many charts I made, with the help of some wonderful Kindergarten teachers, while I was taking Kristi Mraz's chart-making class at the July Writing Institute was a scaffold to get Kindergarten students ready to write an all-about book. Betsy Engel, who will be teaching Kindergarten in Manhattan this-coming school year, shared a… Continue reading Say, Sketch, and Write
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Simple Shapes Convey Meaning
I have a confession to make: I'm a wanna-be artist. I have a deep appreciation for art and for people who can draw the human form. Until last month, I couldn't even draw a decent stick figure. As a result, my classroom charts as a teacher were neatly written, and sometimes color-coded, but they rarely… Continue reading Simple Shapes Convey Meaning
