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Posted 29 Comments on Thoughts on a Way Forward: An Interview with Cornelius Minor COVID-19

Thoughts on a Way Forward: An Interview with Cornelius Minor

When the COVID-19 crisis hit, probably like many of us, I sought out voices of hope. For me personally, I knew one of those voices would be Cornelius Minor. I knew him to be the kind of teacher with the capacity to help us all see things in a new way during this unfamiliar period of virtual teaching.  Fortunately,  I was able to reach him by text.  We sat down recently on a Zoom call to discuss his views on teaching remotely, his book, and a way forward.

Posted 5 Comments on Teaching Small Groups in the Middle School Writing Workshop differentiation

Teaching Small Groups in the Middle School Writing Workshop

For many middle school teachers, planning and teaching small groups in writing workshop feels a little like the Rubik’s Cube; like this famous puzzle, there is a sense that small groups are doable (somehow, maybe?), yet the orchestration of all the many parts can make them feel overwhelming and perhaps even insurmountable.  If you feel this way, know that you are not alone.

Posted 5 Comments on Not All Writers Are the Same! Ideas for Differentiating in the Writing Workshop (Part 2) differentiation

Not All Writers Are the Same! Ideas for Differentiating in the Writing Workshop (Part 2)

The fact is, just like athletes that show up to the first day of practice, writers bring different skill sets.  Some arrive to middle school not knowing where to put a period, while others already know how paint vivid pictures with words that knock our socks off.  How do we plan for such a wide variety of writers?

Posted 12 Comments on The Promise of a Writing Maker Space academic choice

The Promise of a Writing Maker Space

As I opened my classroom door Friday I knew we would be writing a poem for Mother’s Day. I was feeling a bit guilty about the ease and maybe the lack of thought that I had put into the gift this year. As I switched on the lights and straightened books, I thought about Wonderopolis. I entered Mother’s Day in the search box and found a wonder on Mother’s Day and an invitation to dive into Writing Maker Space!