community · giveaway · interview · management · responsive classroom · writing workshop

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.

community · management · writing workshop

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?

community · environment · ideas for the future · independent writing · june planning · modeling · poetry · powerful literacy · teacher writing · writing workshop routines

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?

collaboration · community · reflections · Reflective Practice · writing workshop

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.

community · teacher of writing · teacher writing · Teachers who write · Write: It's good for you! · writer identity · writers · writing · writing process · writing workshop · young authors

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?

community · current events · politics

Embracing the Importance of Our Work as Educators

This is our first-ever full-team statement to our community.

challenges · classroom environment · community · writing workshop

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, and we see signs of a coalescing community in our classrooms. Six weeks in, we  are building rapport and connections with our… Continue reading The Six Week Check-in

academic choice · back to school · character development · choice · classroom environment · community · morning meeting activity · responsive classroom · writing workshop

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.

community · writing workshop

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.

community · Starting With What Matters Most · Talking · writing workshop

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.

BLOG SERIES: Starting with What Matters Most in Writing Workshop · community · giveaway · writing workshop

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.

authors · community

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!