A meeting place for a world of reflective writers.
A six to eight-week writing unit may not be the equivalent of running a marathon, although some may beg to differ this year, but it still requires some creativity for strong and energetic finishes. As I work with several teachers who are in the final third of their information writing units across a variety of grades, here are a few ideas for maintaining energy.
It’s not too late to plan a celebration or put a last minute joyful writing lesson in motion.
To end the year on a happy note, I am setting some goals for April, May and June in my own version of a Writing Teacher’s Happiness Project. What would you work on to end your year in a happy way?
It can be done.
It’s time to celebrate the progress writers have made!
The most-read books of the year were ones authored by my students on their birthdays. Today, I share how my school made a change to a more beliefs-centered way of celebrating.
You see the beauty in your kids’ work: every misspelled word, every cross-out, every taped-on flap. You know that all that “messiness” is evidence of good work that kids are doing. Hard work.
But outside your classroom, the rest of the world might not see it that way.
It’s the final countdown to summer for me and my third graders. Here are some ways we’ve used writing to end the year in a meaningful way.
Sometimes our writing workshops can begin to feel a little like a house we live in– always something to improve, always something we haven’t been able to get to, etc. But I would venture to argue that, like a house, many things are working. It’s time to notice and celebrate them!
As we approach the end of the year, it’s a great time to think about and ask children to think about the growth they’ve made since the first day of school. In the rush, it’s easy to forget about the importance of slowing down and taking the time to reflect, and yet, reflection is a cornerstone of learning.
It’s not too late to plan a celebration of National Day on Writing. NCTE celebrates on this day each year the importance and most of all the delight that writing can bring to our lives using #WhyIWrite as a common theme. Take a look at some quick ideas to get your celebration rolling if you didn’t set a plan in motion for this special day.
Sometimes we learn a lot by asking students what makes the difference in their lives as learners.
With all the pressures imposed by a segmented, unforgiving middle school schedule, why make time for writing celebrations? Are they really that important? Yes!
We cannot underestimate the value of year-end sharing, celebrating and reflecting opportunities for young writers.
When this post goes live, there will be just 13 teaching days left in my school year. The end is coming quickly and more than ever, every minute counts. I’m … Continue Reading Ending the Year with Intention
Next Thursday, October 20th, is the National Day on Writing! Are you ready? Read on for some ideas on how to mark this day with your writers.
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.
It’s the end of the school year and our days are full of reflections, assessments, and all kinds of celebrations. During those final days before summer vacation begins, we find … Continue Reading Celebrating Writers and Teachers
This year, our class motto has been “Push through the struggle.” Originally a mantra of one student, but quickly became the motto of the community. These are the words used to encourage each other to persevere in all learning tasks. The Slice Of Life Story Challenge was no exception!
There are some days in an elementary school teacher’s life where the white flag must be waved. Halloween. The day before holiday break. Pajama Day. Crazy Hat Day. And, of course, Valentine’s Day…
TWO WRITING TEACHERS 