compliment · conferences · conferring · differentiation · Eve Bunting · feedback · independent writing · middle school · motivation · record keeping · scheduling · Shana Frazin · tcrwp

On the Pitfalls of Hiding Out

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.

craft · Eve Bunting · mentor texts · picture book · reading-writing connections

Craft Tables for You — Part II of III

This is the second in a series of three posts that include craft tables you can download for use during your conferences or strategy lessons.  If you missed last week's post, which talked about what craft tables are and how to create them, then click here to read it now. This week I'm sharing two… Continue reading Craft Tables for You — Part II of III

Eve Bunting · mentor texts

A Text with Many Uses

Eve Bunting has been one of my favorite children's book authors ever since I read Fly Away, Home. I've used her books in my Reading Workshop, as demonstration texts and as social issue book club books. However, other than using Smokey Night during a personal narrative unit in 2006, I haven't used Bunting's books in… Continue reading A Text with Many Uses

Cynthia Rylant · Eve Bunting · jacqueline woodson · Kevin Henkes · Khadra Mohammed · Lenore Look · literary essay · mentor texts · minilesson · sandra cisneros

Literary Essay Texts

During our common planning time today, my colleagues and I brainstormed a list of texts we're going to have students select from for their literary essays. Many people think that kids should pick whatever book they're reading, I've come to believe that having children select from a pre-selected set of short texts is better. A… Continue reading Literary Essay Texts