classroom environment · first day · writing workshop

Revising the Classroom: Adventures in Flexible Seating

This year I had the opportunity to try out flexible seating with brand new furniture. It's been an adventure and I've learned many lessons along the way. What are your experiences with flexible seating?

classroom environment · environment · first day · materials · organization · partnerships · procedures · routines · writing workshop routines

A Game Plan for Writing Workshop Transitions

Have you ever visited a colleague's classroom or watched a video of a lesson and wondered, "How are those kids so perfect? How do they seem to know exactly what to do, the moment the teacher suggests it?" Just like in sports, practice makes perfect. A sports coach puts time and effort into devising game… Continue reading A Game Plan for Writing Workshop Transitions

first day · writing · writing workshop

Begin the writing workshop year by writing on “Day One”

This year, I’m reaching back into habits of old and carving out time to write during that first day. Here are some things I will keep in mind...

back to school · community · first day · writing workshop

Going “Back to School”

Some teachers have been back to school since August 1st, while others head back after Labor Day.  By looking through our site stats I've noticed a lot of people are searching for terms that relate to the beginning of the school year.  Therefore, I thought I'd take a few minutes to point you to some… Continue reading Going “Back to School”

first day · guest blogger · jacqueline woodson · Katherine Bomer

Happy New Year! Using Celebration to Restore and Build our Identities as Writers

Lindsay Reyes began her teaching career seven years ago in South Carolina where she taught 4th and 5th graders. Following her heart for urban education and literacy reform, she moved to New York City where she taught middle school in the South Bronx. She has experience teaching General Ed and Special Ed (as a Collaborative… Continue reading Happy New Year! Using Celebration to Restore and Build our Identities as Writers

first day · technology · Web 2.0

Glogster

I recently read a post on Raising Reading and Writers that talked about Glogster.  I hadn't heard of Glogster, which is a tool for creating virtual posters, and therefore checked it out immediately.  This is a site that allows you to create a poster through text, images, video, and music.  Once you create your own… Continue reading Glogster

challenges · first day

Celebrate What You CAN Do!

If I were still a classroom teacher, then tomorrow would be my first day back to school (unless I were still teaching in Manhattan, and then I'd be heading back the day after Labor Day).  Even though I no longer have a classroom of my own, I can still recall how overwhelmed I felt in… Continue reading Celebrate What You CAN Do!

first day · guest blogger · writing workshop

Launching Writing Workshop in the Primary Grades: A Guest Blog Post by Mary Brothers

Mary Brothers is starting her tenth year of teaching with Dublin City Schools where she has taught first, second, and fourth grades. Last year she was a Technology Support Teacher for the district and started her blogging journey. She blogs about her learning, as well as that of her students’, at Teaching in the Tech… Continue reading Launching Writing Workshop in the Primary Grades: A Guest Blog Post by Mary Brothers

first day · writer's notebook

A New Notebook for the New School Year

Some teachers buy them for their students.  Some teachers have parents purchase their own.  Some teachers have school-issued marble composition books.  Regardless of where students' writer's notebooks come from, there should be some fanfare for utilizing them for the first time during a given school year. I wrapped up my students' notebooks, during my last… Continue reading A New Notebook for the New School Year