We do all we can to keep kids writing over summer. But are we assigning tasks and busywork, or actually enriching their writerly lives?
I’ve created a tool to share with families and students of all ages to inspire writing for REAL purposes this summer and beyond.
I don’t remember sharing writing experiences at home when my daughters were in elementary school.
I wish we had.
I believe in writing. I believe that the more you write, the more you discover your own thoughts and ideas. Your voice grows stronger. You become more fluent. Writing becomes a part of who you are, how you see the world, how you process your thoughts, how you communicate effectively with others. It is not enough for students to just write during writing workshop. Writing needs to be woven into the fabric of the day, across subject areas, in ways that are meaningful and authentic for students.
Can a Family Dialogue Journal help build stronger home-school connections through written conversation?
It’s the end of the school year and our days are full of reflections, assessments, and all kinds of celebrations. During those final days before summer vacation begins, we find many ways celebrate… Continue reading
Back to School Night is around the corner! When it comes to writing workshop, what do we need families to know?
Check out Michigan author, Ruth McNally Barshaw and a peek at our family literacy night!
Many parents, guardians, and extended family members cannot leave work to attend writing celebrations. Here are some ideas to bring your next publishing party into the community where you teach OR to make them virtual celebrations.
Cultivate home-school partnerships around writing by hosting a family writing night this fall.
August is here! What are you eagerly anticipating this week, later this month, and this-coming fall?
Did you read Katherine Sokolowski’s Slice of Life post this past Tuesday? She crafted a poem that was a tribute to a dear family-friend, Vel, who passed away. Crafting the poem was a… Continue reading
Tomorrow night I’ve been invited to talk with parents and host a mini-writing workshop for families. You must know, about a week ago, our youngest, Sam (a first grader), gave two slips of… Continue reading
Late, I know, but sometimes things are just too fresh to write about on demand. Here is what I was hoping I could get out yesterday. Grey skies surrounded our little gathering. Some were… Continue reading
My parents stopped by their classroom to meet my students yesterday. They were supposed to stay for a few minutes. In reality, they stayed for over thirty. There was no plan for their… Continue reading
I came home exhausted from the Providence Ronald McDonald House 5K Walk. I took a short nap and then created a list of things I had to do today. Unlike my usual to-do… Continue reading
I’m teaching memoir right now. It falls into our schedule early this year… and I love it! On Friday I had four conferences, two of which my students didn’t follow through with, which… Continue reading
Our Entry Table Has Begun to Brim with Anniversary and Chanukah Cards Originally uploaded by teachergal We’re all so busy these days, aren’t we? The snowstorm that hit New England this past Friday… Continue reading
Strongest Memories from My Wedding Day Originally uploaded by teachergal I was perusing the Stories in Hand Sparks from Jessica Sprague’s Online Class I took last month. With just eight days left until… Continue reading
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… Continue reading
Jersey Tomatoes. The sound of those two words evokes a strong smell memory. I can smell the garden-fresh, bright red, ripe tomatoes my father grew in our backyard when I was a little… Continue reading
