Reinvigorate Your Classroom by Putting Kids First: An Interview with Christine Hertz and Kristi Mraz
Learn how Hertz and Mraz’s newest book, Kids 1st from Day 1, can impact your writing workshop.
Category Archive: community
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Crushed It!
Crushed It (defined): To feel positive, get more done, or in general be a better person. How are you crushing it in the classroom?
Building a Community of Writers: Creating the Emotional Space
Building a community of writers is likely a goal for all writing workshop teachers. But what are some ways to be intentional about bringing such a goal to fruition?
How Do We Help Students Find Their Why?
At first, pride filled my heart, but as I continued to watch, I realized the work ethics I was watching at that moment hadn’t been as clear nor intentional throughout the year. The day’s show of teamwork could have been the culmination of a year’s work, but I knew it was something more.
Writing Takes Guts: My Writing Backstory
The realization of this moment gave me chills and led me to share my writing backstory with Dana. Dana listened and encouraged me to open my presentation with this story. I was hesitant, the experience had halted my inner writer for years. What if sharing it again had the same result?
Embracing the Importance of Our Work as Educators
This is our first-ever full-team statement to our community.
The Six Week Check-in
Many of us are fast approaching the sixth week of school. Many of us consider that the first of countless milestones in our school year. Six weeks in, routines are beginning to solidify,… Continue reading
3 Steps to Building A Learning Community: Vision. Intention. Purpose.
The young writers sitting in our classroom will rise above the fears and struggles of being a writer, but it will take intentional planning, repetitive teaching, daily writing, and reteaching. Writing is hard work. Students don’t become writers because we have writing workshop. Writers become writers because teachers have clear intentions and a vision of what’s possible.
Listening and Watching Intently: Building a Learning Community
A few short weeks ago our new school year began. I am feeling the pressure of getting to know my students, setting up our room, and building a community of learners. In these early days I tread slowly.
Unpacking the Power of Talk: Starting with What Matters Most
Early on, as a writing teacher, I didn’t realize the power that talk plays in the writing workshop. Over the years, I have learned there are many benefits from intentionally making talk a priority.
New Blog Series: Starting with What Matters Most in Writing Workshop
Over the next eight days, my friends and I at Two Writing Teachers will share what goes into developing writers who work with agency, purpose, and independence in our Blog Series: Starting With What Matters Most. Set a reminder or mark your calendars, you won’t want to miss a day of these timely posts.
Live From #KidLitPalooza!
Stay tuned this morning as I add to this post about #KidLitPalooza, live from this amazing event that connects children’s authors to students!
Comments Make Community!
Comments are at the heart of blogging!
A Tale of Teachers: Collaboration, Community, Connection
Once upon a time, there was a teacher who became a better teacher by connecting with other passionate educators…
Essential Thoughts: Building a Community of Writers — Part of #TWTBlog’s Throwback Week
Throwback week continues on Two Writing Teachers. Today, Anna throws back to Deb, who shared how to foster deep writing community bonds back in August.
Back to School Posts on TWT
We’ve curated some of our top ‘Back to School’ posts to help you plan and launch your writing workshop.
Why We Gather: The Importance of a Classroom Meeting Area
You might be so completely used to your classroom arrangement that it seems normal to you — but it maybe could be better.
Writing Mantras for the New School Year
What can we say to ourselves to affirm the power of writing? What words will help us move forward when the going gets tough? Thinking about class writing mantras…
The Chicken and the Egg
A writing workshop thrives on relationships and builds them at the same time.
Essential Thoughts- Building a Community of Writers
Writers within a community understand the importance of their writing community and work to maintain its existence. Because the students value their writing community, they also feel accepted and free to try new ideas, take risks, and push themselves to be their personal best. They feel encouraged internally and externally.