digital tools · note-taking · research-based writing · writing workshop

A Pathway in For Opinion Writing

Accessibility to resources and information becomes critically important as students move into the realm of supporting their opinions --or even developing their opinions--, and as with other forms of writing, the more options and pathways provided, the more likelihood of success. This is why I appreciate the resources from KQED.

celebration · digital tools · end of year reflection · Joy · organization · writing workshop

The Writing Teacher’s Happiness Project

To end the year on a happy note, I am setting some goals for April, May and June in my own version of a Writing Teacher's Happiness Project. What would you work on to end your year in a happy way?

COVID-19 · digital tools · personal essay · writing workshop

Active Engagement with Pear Deck

Active engagement looks different now than it did pre-COVID-19. One digital tool for active engagement is Pear Deck. Read on to find out how I'm using Pear Deck with my third grade writers!

digital tools · Distance Learning · ELL · mentor texts · tcrwp · vocabulary · writing workshop

Expanding Vocabulary and Use of Transitions in Students’ Writing

The work of Elfrieda (Freddy) Hiebert, professor and founder of textproject.org, explains further that “lists do not help our kids retain or expand their word knowledge. Students need networks of words that are grounded in ideas.”

change · COVID-19 · digital tools · digital writing · Distance Learning · remote instruction · remote learning · writing workshop

My Three Remote Teacher Survival Tips

As we all venture into another week of instruction, no matter what that may look like, I have three tips for surviving and thriving in these times.

COVID-19 · digital tools · EAL · multilingual · sharing · teaching tools · technology · Voices from the Community

Providing Tools for Writing and Sharing Writing Through the Pandemic

Calling all primary writing teachers. Today Janet Ahn shares how she worked with her Kindergarteners to continue thrive in writing workshop through the pandemic. These young scholars continued to draft pieces, engage in conferring, collaborate to mark up mentor texts, and publish their writing through online platforms. Their dedication to continuing the writing workshop virtually was a reflection of how they truly saw themselves as writers.

COVID-19 · cultural relevance · current events · digital tools · digital writing · Distance Learning · EAL · guest blogger · literacy coaches · mentor texts · minilesson · struggling writers

Inviting Voices from the Community

As the 2020-2021 school year sets to start, we recognize that educators need each other more than ever. We need to hold onto our beliefs about the teaching of writing while becoming ever more flexible in our approaches. We need to grow in our understanding of Culturally and Historically Responsive Literacy (as described in Gholdy… Continue reading Inviting Voices from the Community

Belief Statements · classroom environment · COVID-19 · digital tools · Distance Learning · writing workshop

Belief Statements: The Breadcrumbs of Teaching Near and Far

No matter where we gather to teach children, the values we have for children and education should not change.

COVID-19 · digital tools · remote learning

A Very Short List of Distance Learning Ideas

How can we strike a balance between device-based distance learning support and tried-and-true physical experiences in a way that supports our writers in some positive ways?  While I am aware many wonderful and generous educators and authors have already compiled and curated extensive lists, allow me to share just a few that you may (or may not) find helpful in your efforts to guide and support students and parents at home...

community · digital tools · digital writing · low-stakes · notebooks · photograph · ralph fletcher · writer identity · writer's notebook

(Writing) Life Imitates Art: Finding Inspiration in Ralph Fletcher’s Instagram

The creative lives we maintain outside of writing fill us up as humans with stories to tell. When we bring this life into the writing workshop, it builds community, and it lays the foundation for lifelong writers who have strategies for sustaining their own writing lives.