Potentially, one of the most impactful opportunities we have for making a lasting difference on our students as writers is when we pull up next to them and confer with them. It’s SO worth spending some time reflecting, setting goals, and developing tools and strategies for the conferring work we do as teachers.
As we approach the end of another school year, many of us begin making plans for outgrowing ourselves. But what might be some lenses to think through when taking on such a task? I have a few ideas . . .
“How about we read Goodnight, Gorilla?” Raising my eyebrows, I gazed hopefully at my two year-old daughter. “Or maybe we could read The Grouchy Ladybug? You love that one!” “No!” Her… Continue reading
Mark Twain once said, “I can live for two months on a good compliment.” While our students should regularly receive compliments from their teachers, good ones can fuel their ambition and willingness to stretch themselves as writers.
Nervously lowering myself into a chair, I scooted myself closer to the table. Around me sat three new colleagues. My new 7th grade teaching team. Having moved from my familiar home in small-town… Continue reading
Sound assessment plays a vital role in showing and in detailing progress students are making toward reasonable goals.
“Lift the ball with your right hand, and pretend your right knee is tied to your right elbow.” Placing the orange ball uncertainly in my right hand, I glanced over at Mr. Brown,… Continue reading
Feedback That Moves Writers Forward: How to Escape Correcting Mode To Transform Student Writing, written by Patty McGee, is a must-read for educators who know we can do far better for students when it comes to talking with them about their writing.
It’s great to be prepared when we are conferring with our writers. However, being ‘prepared’ and being ‘present’ are not the same thing…
Even when we know what’s best, sometimes the most helpful thing we can do for a child is to let them figure out a problem on their own.
Sometimes in a busy and chaotic schedule, we inadvertently miss attending to some of our students who like to “fly under the radar.” Being systematic and intentionally positive can make a big difference for some of our writers.
Lanny Ball reminds us that compliments are a bit like gifts we give our students each day.
We can all be a little more like my daughter’s swim teacher, Coach Annie, and a little less like the camp counselors of my childhood. Here’s how.
A wise person once told me, conferring is the heart of the writing workshop. And much has been written about how to go about conferring effectively. Guides and professional books abound, videos, websites… Continue reading
Read on for a snippet of a writing conference using Google Translate with an upper elementary student who is learning English.
With very good intentions, we teach kids to do their best to really finish a story before they move on to the next one. However, a little bit of flexibility will go a long way in increasing engagement, volume, and independence in young writers.
What teacher of writers superpower would you like to develop this year?
Six educators make the case for conferring with students regularly.
Take a peek at our presentation from Saturday at #theedcollabgathering.
Four of us will present at The Educator Collaborative Spring Gathering tomorrow at 2:00 p.m.
