By opening ourselves up to the possibilities that lie within writing invitations, we can still hold true to a scope and sequence while also sneaking in opportunities for spontaneous writing throughout the day.
Category: authentic writing
Be a Blank Book: Reflective Practice
A blank book is a powerful tool for young writers. It can also be a metaphor for the way that teachers of writing can make meaningful connections with their students.
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Getting Centered
As I reflect upon my teaching practice, I always have more questions than answers. Here are some of the things that I'm wondering about as a teacher of writing.
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Tackling Sentence Struggles With Older Writers
If you're a teacher of older students (3rd grade and up) and have ever found yourself asking what you can do for kids who are still struggling with basic capitalization and punctuation, you're not alone! Today's post provides ideas to support teaching and transfer of sentence writing conventions in authentic and fun ways with our older writers.
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PBL in the Writing Classroom
Real world, authentic opportunities to engage in writing with the goal of enacting change is something all students can really sink their teeth into. PBL and writing workshop go hand in hand.
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Writing and Playing: A Natural Pairing in the Kindergarten Classroom
Writing and playing are not one and the same but there is deep value in forging connections between the two by finding regular opportunities to have children both write while they play, AND play while they write!
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Ups and Downs: Writing Our Way Through
How might our first moments back from break welcome back students and staff and all that they may have experienced since we were last together? Tell us how you make space for the ups and the downs and everything in between!
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Graphic Organizers Limit Creativity: Resetting Our Workshop Practices
Many teachers assign graphic organizers to help students learn about structure and organization. But do these organizers actually impede authentic writing and student agency? Read about why Leah chose to stop mandating graphic organizers, and some tips for letting go!
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Ruminating Process Alongside Kidlit Creators: Centering Our Why
As we move forward this season, near concluding a challenging 2021, I aim to respect the messy writing process for myself. We will share with our students over and over that getting your ideas out doesn’t have to look one way; that they can move forward and backward and around again. They can toss out ideas and start anew. And while I do that, I’ll hold Jasmine and Olugbemisola’s thoughts close: as educators, let’s not stifle by virtue of supposed tos. There’s no wrong way. The final product need not look the way we initially imagined.
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When Writing Feels Right: Exalting Choice and Purpose in Workshop
When writers feel empowered to write for their own personal catharsis, it matters. When writers know they will have the opportunity to strengthen their writing alongside peers, it matters. When writers have greater degrees of choice around topic and genre, it matters. And when, at times, there’s a wider audience for writing, beyond classroom walls or the teacher’s eyes alone, there is often deeper motivation.
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I Remember
What is a memory? What makes a moment memorable? Were they moments of utter joy and warmth? Or was there embitterment, stress, and even trauma that made it special? For me, the 2020-2021 school year had many moments that were both. As much as I would like to move forward from last year, those memories… Continue reading I Remember
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Beliefs Inspire Actions During Remote Learning
My beliefs about teaching and learning have grounded the decisions I make, in the classroom and now during this time of remote learning. Come with me on a video tour of how my beliefs are shaping my actions. Share in the comments how your beliefs are influencing the instructional decisions are you are making.
