My neighbor's son is starting Kindergarten this month. Even though I've only known him for a little over a year, I'm delighted for him since this is an exciting time in a young child's life. Two books recently crossed my desk that I've thought worthy of sharing with him before he starts Kindergarten. If you… Continue reading Book Suggestions for Kids Who Are New to School
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.
“The Lost Art” of Letter Writing
I was recently talking with a friend whose daughter was spending the summer at sleep away camp. I was curious about how she was going to communicate with her since e-mail and texting are so prevalent. She told me her daughter wasn't allowed to bring a smart phone and that the computer lab wasn't open… Continue reading “The Lost Art” of Letter Writing
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Focus Spots
Last week my husband and I vacationed in Ogunquit, Maine. We took a sunset cruise out of Perkins Cove, which gave us a wonderful opportunity to explore the coastline from a different vantage point. Just a few minutes after our boat got into the open water I noticed a woman sitting out on a rock… Continue reading Focus Spots
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First SOLSC of August
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There are teaching jobs out there!
Educators around the country have received pink slips due to budget crises in districts across the country. That being said, there are jobs in education out there (though you have to be somewhat flexible with regard to geographic location). Subscribers to ASCD SmartBrief, an e-mail newsletter, receive education headlines five days a week. Additionally, at… Continue reading There are teaching jobs out there!
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Ranting & Writing
My afternoon session, "Writing from the Heart: Finding Your True Voice," at the TCRWP Writing Institute was taught by James Howe (aka: Jim). During the course of the week Jim provided us with a variety of writing exercises, which lasted from 5 - 20 minutes, to help us write from the heart. One of the… Continue reading Ranting & Writing
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Share a Slice of Your Life!
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NWP: Call for Action
The education funding bill that relates to the National Writing Project (NWP) will be marked up in the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee this week. Please contact your senators to request continued support for NWP funding in the Fiscal Year 2011 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (LHHS and ED) Appropriations Bill. If your… Continue reading NWP: Call for Action
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Book in Progress
A few people have left us comments asking about the writing process for our forthcoming book, Day By Day: Refining Writing Workshop Through 180 Days of Reflective Practice, since we announced that we were writing one last summer. These folks have queried us about everything from how we went about writing the proposal for our… Continue reading Book in Progress
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Supporting ELL Students in Writing Workshop
One of the best closing sessions I attended at the Writing Institute was given by Amanda Hartman. "Scaffolds and Supports We Can Put in Place to Support Our ELLs (K-2)" was a 45-minute session that provided teachers with practical ways to support English Language Learners, or ELLs. While the session was targeted to primary grade… Continue reading Supporting ELL Students in Writing Workshop
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SOLSC & Community
It's funny how the Slice of Life Story Challenge has created a virtual community of writers. In November, Ruth and I met up with Bonnie Kaplan and Kevin Hodgson when we attended the NCTE Annual Convention in Philadelphia. Two weeks ago, I found myself in a session with Kelly Sandborn, who was one of our… Continue reading SOLSC & Community
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Purpose, Process, & Craft with Carl Anderson
Carl Anderson (aka: The Conferring Guy) has not only listened to the Beatles' music; he has studied it. He has determined by the Beatles wrote particular songs, how they wrote them, and what they did to write them well. Carl shared what he has learned by studying the Beatles' music with an audience of educators… Continue reading Purpose, Process, & Craft with Carl Anderson
