academic choice · apps · audience · authentic assessment · authentic writing · creativity · digital tools · digital writing · Intentional Teaching · minilesson · writing workshop

Yes &… with Digital Tools We Can

As we set off to create writers who write in tandem with the printed world and the digital world there are a few we need to consider.

apps · digital tools · technology · writing workshop

Infusing Technology: It’s More Than Apps and Devices

As I sat down to write my post for the upcoming series, titled: Dreaming Big for This Year’s Writing Workshop I thought back to when I opened my writing workshop to digital tools. I thought of all the things I wished I had known. I quickly learned technology was about more than devices, apps, and… Continue reading Infusing Technology: It’s More Than Apps and Devices

apps · collaboration · independent writing · outdoors · summer vacation · writing workshop

Four Writing Workshop Ideas for the Final Stretch

If you're in the final stretch--the last few days or weeks of school-- here are a few ideas to keep kids writing right to the very end.

apps · authors · blogging · communication · digital writing · kidblog · organization · parent involvement · preparing students for the 21st century · professional development · writing workshop

A Class Hub To The Rescue!

A class hub can make all the difference for digital writing and learning!

apps · authentic assessment · blogging · celebration · choice · digital writing · engagement · writing workshop

Go-To Digital Tools for Writing Workshop

Digital tools can transform your teaching by allowing students to have a writing community beyond the classroom walls, be innovative, make meaningful connections to other writers and students, have more resources readily available, and have true, authentic reasons for writing.

apps · digital writing · writing workshop

In my writing workshop: it’s finally time for photographs and digital stories.

At last August’s Summer Institute, Cornelius Minor, teacher extraordinaire and staff developer at TC’s Writing and Reading Project, gave an unforgettable presentation on technology in the classroom which I wrote about on my blog “A Teaching Life”.  I left TC full of good intentions about infusing my sixth grade Writing Workshop with technology,  and using… Continue reading In my writing workshop: it’s finally time for photographs and digital stories.

apps · quote

Three Things

Today is one of my first days of summer break. I woke up early, even before the alarm and wrote 1000 words. We read a collective total of 5 books. The kids and I: rode bikes for an hour; had a picnic lunch by the waterfall in the park; and played at the skate park.… Continue reading Three Things

apps · digital writing · NCTE · reading · reluctant writers · technology · Web 2.0

Beyond Classroom Walls

One of the fantastic sessions I attended at NCTE was called "Beyond Classroom Walls: Honoring Voices of Young Readers."  It was led by Julie Johnson of Raising Readers and Writers, Katie Keier of Catching Readers, and Cathy Mere of Reflect and Refine.  Let me start by saying that all three of these women are the… Continue reading Beyond Classroom Walls