The Comic Sans Trick
The internet has proved itself useful and has given us the Comic Sans trick. Read on to learn how the font we love to hate can help you cure writer’s block.
Listening Bit by Bit
Using video and visuals helped this young third-grader lead his class in a lesson on rehearsal and planning.
Lights, Camera, Action! 3 Tips for Creating Maximum Effect During a Writing Lesson
Walking ourselves through and rehearsing what we will model for young writers so as to create the desired effect(s) can be extremely helpful. Whatever curriculum we are using, it’s just so important to walk through the big steps of our teaching ahead of time so that we plan for maximum learning impact. But what type of “effects” might be desired?
Red Dot Side, Green Dot Side, Revisited
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.
When to Pop Out of the Notebook
As much as I LOVE notebooks, even I have to admit there is a time in every writer’s process when it is time to pop out of the notebook and onto a laptop or lined paper.
An Eraser-Free Workshop and the Language We Use for Talking About It
When I visit a classroom, one of the first things I often say to kids is, “Today, please don’t erase. I want to see ALL the great work you are doing as a writer. When you erase, your work disappears!” Often, this is what kids are accustomed to and they continue working away. But sometimes, kids stare at me as if I’ve got two heads.
Flash-Drafting Leads to Large-Scale Revision
Flash-drafting helps get thoughts down on the page quickly so writers are open to large-scale revisions.
Using the Cut-and-Tape Method to Draft
As a district, we have experimented with several ways to get students’ writing out of the notebooks and into a draft. This is one of those ways.
Best First Draft
When students move from their notebook to draft, I encourage them to write their best first draft. (Click here to see other posts I’ve written about best first drafts.) Something … Continue Reading Best First Draft
Word Count
I’ve had a daily word count for awhile. I’m not sure exactly when it started, but I think it was while writing Day by Day. However, it was while becoming … Continue Reading Word Count
It Feels Good…
It was one of those days where writing workshop just felt good. Here’s a little recap of the highlights. First thing this morning, I implemented the things I’m learning from … Continue Reading It Feels Good…
Drafting
If you are a regular reader, you know a lot of my thinking lately has been about writing process, and specifically nudging third grade writers into more traditional drafts. Today’s … Continue Reading Drafting
Letting Them Teach Me
I’m sorry, I just realized I missed a blog post last Wednesday. Yes, I know it’s been nearly a week, but the truth is I just realized it. Oops. So … Continue Reading Letting Them Teach Me
Taking Time to Reflect Leads to More Accurate Teaching Decisions
Today I found myself understanding the writing process more deeply. Primary writers work through the writing process by layering each phase on a single copy of their writing. They plan … Continue Reading Taking Time to Reflect Leads to More Accurate Teaching Decisions
Highlights from the Week
I have been in a lot of different writing workshops lately. Just this week I’ve been in 13 writing workshops and have met with 13 different teachers in either reflective … Continue Reading Highlights from the Week
Spelling + Drafting + 2nd Grade Writers
My oldest daughter is a second grader and a whiz at spelling. Every Friday she brings home a list of “Word Wall” words for the upcoming week and asks me to … Continue Reading Spelling + Drafting + 2nd Grade Writers
Feedback
My students and I agreed to a form that I would use to provide them with feedback on the drafts of their research-based essays. We decided that it was a … Continue Reading Feedback
Learning More About Conventions Through the Close-Study of a Text
I’ve been thinking a lot about conventions and their importance. Without proper conventions, how can a piece of writing hold its own? All of our young writers need to realize … Continue Reading Learning More About Conventions Through the Close-Study of a Text
I’ve Got My Work Cut-Out For Me Tonight
Nearly all of my students turned-in the first drafts of their personal essays today so that they could get my feedback. Awesome, right? YEP! The only thing is that they’re … Continue Reading I’ve Got My Work Cut-Out For Me Tonight
Moving from Storyboards to Drafts.
In Keith Bollman’s fifth grade class, students are beginning to consider moving into drafts. They’ve envisioned their writing and are moving out of the rehearsal stage and into drafting. Today … Continue Reading Moving from Storyboards to Drafts.
