I have been a bit of a mentor text aficionada for the past three and a half years. It all started when I asked an incoming class of fifth graders this question at the end of fourth grade: “What have you learned about writing from reading?” Every-single-kid’s-response can be boiled down to one word: “Nothing.” … Continue reading Planned & Unplanned Mentor Text Conferences
Category: conferring
The Case for Record-Keeping
Ruth and I are putting the finishing touches on the Conferring Section of our book just as I'm starting to work on presentations for two separate school districts about conferring in the Writing Workshop. Hence, conferring has been on my mind a lot lately! Record-keeping is always a hot topic when you talk about conferring… Continue reading The Case for Record-Keeping
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Back to School Week: Conferring
We received a couple of questions about conferring last week. They were: Michele wrote: I would like for you to share ideas about conferring. I love my conversations about books with my 4th and 5th grade students. They are rich and meaningful. I am longing for the same feeling from my writing conferences. How do… Continue reading Back to School Week: Conferring
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Reading Notebooks
Katie asked: How often do you collect and look at notebooks or are you doing it as you conference with students? I rarely read through a student's notebook during a Writing Conference. The reason is that I want to use the conference time to talk with them about their writing, what they're working on at… Continue reading Reading Notebooks
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Back to Basics: Conferring (Part of TWT’s Big Picture Series)
I consider myself fortunate to have learned more about the art of conferring with young writers from some of the best folks out there: Carl Anderson, Lucy Calkins, and Jen Serravallo. As many of you know, I spent a week of my summer studying more about conferring with Carl Anderson at the TCRWP Summer Institute… Continue reading Back to Basics: Conferring (Part of TWT’s Big Picture Series)
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Getting Back to Basics: Structures & Routines (Part of TWT’s Big Pictures Series)
Structures and routines need to be clear in your head so they can be implemented when you start Writing Workshop. You can shift to a new routine or modify one that's not working mid-year, but explaining WHY you're doing it to your students is important. If you're unsure of whose model you wish to adapt,… Continue reading Getting Back to Basics: Structures & Routines (Part of TWT’s Big Pictures Series)
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Big Picture Series: Conferring
“Teach the writer, not the writing.” – Lucy Calkins Do you ever feel exasperated by all of the errors you see in your students’ writing? The conference begins and before you know it you’ve given lots of useful advice on how to fix the writing. You look over and notice your student is completely… Continue reading Big Picture Series: Conferring
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Ruth’s Memoir Monday: High School Art Class.
I walk into my favorite class of the day, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are floating through the air, She grew up in an Indiana town, with a good lookin' mama who was never 'round, I took my usual seat, far from the door, on the inside of the table. I loved this spot because I could… Continue reading Ruth’s Memoir Monday: High School Art Class.
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Answering Questions About Writing Workshop
I received a bunch of questions from a regular reader of TWT yesterday. Her questions seemed like ones that other folks might want the answers to, so I asked her if I could answer them on TWT without mentioning her name. She said yes. Q. My kids constantly tell me, "my mother conferred with me… Continue reading Answering Questions About Writing Workshop
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Peek In!
Peek into two a strategy lesson and a conference I had during today's Writing Workshop. 1. Strategy Lesson With Ruth's Blessing, I printed out her the Slice of Life Story (SOLS) she wrote about Sam's Nighttime Secret. I gathered four of my students together on the small rug of my classroom and handed them a… Continue reading Peek In!
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Stacey’s SOLSC & A Great Writing Conference Collide
SOLSC for 091608 - Knowing the Right Thing to Say Originally uploaded by teachergal I had one of the most amazing early-in-the-school-year writing conferences today. The student literally pondered what she was working on as a writer. She didn't tell me about her writing like most kids do during the first few weeks of school… Continue reading Stacey’s SOLSC & A Great Writing Conference Collide
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Trading My Favorite Classroom Spaces
Trading Our Favorite Spaces: 1 of 2 Originally uploaded by teachergal Mary Lee & Franki are hosting something of a blog carnival over at A Year of Reading. It's called Trading (Our Favorite) Spaces. Click here to learn more about it &/or to submit photos of your favorite space by September 1st. I'm posting just… Continue reading Trading My Favorite Classroom Spaces
