assessment · conferring · feedback · formative assessment · writing workshop

A Closer Look: Learning About Our Writers with Formative Assessment

Sound assessment plays a vital role in showing and in detailing progress students are making toward reasonable goals.

feedback · tcrwp

The Hard Parts

Earlier this month, I had the privilege of attending the TCRWP August Writing Institute. The week began with Lucy Calkins delivering an inspirational keynote, "Learning from the Hard Parts" inside the Nave at Riverside Church. Parts of it have been rattling around in my mind for the past few weeks.Lucy talked about cultivating spaces in writing… Continue reading The Hard Parts

feedback · writing workshop

TWT Voxer Book Club 2.0

At the start of the summer, I read and reviewed Patty McGee's Feedback That Moves Writers Forward. It's a book, I believe, that can change my teaching of writing for the better...and maybe yours too. It's a book I want to dive into more deeply, rereading it and sharing my ideas with other educators in a book club. I know that the beginning of the school year is a challenging time to ask teachers to take on anything additional. But here I am anyway, inviting you to take part in a Voxer book club to discuss Feedback That Moves Writers Forward. So why should you?

conferring · feedback · professional books · professional development · writing workshop

Feedback That Moves Writers Forward: Review and Giveaway

Feedback That Moves Writers Forward: How to Escape Correcting Mode To Transform Student Writing, written by Patty McGee, is a must-read for educators who know we can do far better for students when it comes to talking with them about their writing.

feedback · writing workshop

Literacy Coaches: How do you assess your impact?

A few months ago I received an email from a curriculum director in a district where I sometimes do a bit of consulting: Did I have any data regarding my impact in schools? Did I know where I could find such data? The district needed to prove my impact in order to get the grant… Continue reading Literacy Coaches: How do you assess your impact?

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.

blogging · commenting · feedback · writing workshop

Thoughtful Feedback

One way to become a community of writers is to leave thoughtful feedback.

celebration · commenting · feedback · personal narrative · publishing · writing workshop

We Are The Authors: Publishing Decisions

When it's time to publish, the classroom teacher has many decisions to consider!

feedback · writing workshop

Guess Your Feedback

An activity to use with student writers to encourage self-reflection

feedback · Slice of Life Story Challenge

Another little challenge, of sorts

During the first week of this year's month-long SOLSC, I noticed someone posted around 10 or 11 p.m. and remarked that no one ever comments on late-night posters.  My heart sunk.  How frustrating it must be to have one's writing go unnoticed just because you're a pre-bedtime writer! I've been trying to make a concerted… Continue reading Another little challenge, of sorts

community · feedback · giveaway · Slice of Life Story Challenge

New Slicers Only: Who Is Motivating You as a Writer?

Last month, I ran a post announcing the prizes for this year's Slice of Life Story Challenge.  I promised four prizes would be given away during the month of March. I hinted that the prizes would be given away based on commenting and writing streaks.  Well, today is the first of three prize giveaways and… Continue reading New Slicers Only: Who Is Motivating You as a Writer?

feedback

Looking for Feedback

Day by Day: Refining Writing Workshop Through 180 Days of Reflective Practice recently came out as an eBook.  Therefore, it's now available in print and electronically.  That being said, Stenhouse, our publisher, would like to update Day by Day's product page with comments about the book.  We would LOVE feedback about Day by Day from… Continue reading Looking for Feedback